[This reflection was published in the weekly news bulletin of Horley Baptist Church, 09/Feb/2020]
A Baptist church in Horley has set out to change the world!
In response to the headlines in the news all over the world – climate change, bush fires, Brexit division, Megxit, Coronavirus, terrorism, racism, scandals to name a few – members of the church are making their own headlines, through a call to live a life of surrender to God, radical discipleship, and speaking up for truth and those without a voice.
A church member explained to News of the Times, “We believe that God is highlighting world events with an invitation to turn to Him in repentance and faith. It’s a call to life-changing, radical, exciting discipleship and requires courage, commitment, unity and love to be part of our daily vocabulary.” We wanted to know what this community felt God had said to them and why they believe this will transform the world. Here’s what they said:
Surrender – God is calling us to deeper levels of intimacy and surrender, where every part of our lives is brought to Him, with hearts that are postured towards wanting His will, obedience through love, not rules, and a deep friendship with Jesus where not only do we speak to him, but he shares His heart with us. “I will give you the treasures of darkness, riches stored in secret places, so that you may know that I am the God of Israel, who summons you by name.” (Isaiah 45:3)
Values – when we look at so much of what is happening in our world, it is really hard to know what our values are – or indeed, if there are any values at all. We have been seeking God to examine our own personal life values, and those of our church, because we believe a return to godly values is so needed in every sphere of life, and it should be our values that drive our behaviour. “As God’s chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience. Bear with each other and forgive… And over all these virtues put on love, which binds them all together in perfect unity. Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts… And be thankful… Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly. And … do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus.” (Colossians 3)
God’s Mouthpiece – As Christians, we want to speak up for truth, and we feel each one of us has a part to play in this. For some this will be by speaking God’s wisdom into the lives of family and friends, for others it may be by contributing to public debates, for all of us it will be through living this radical way of life. “May your life preach more loudly than your lips.” (18th Century Author, William Ellery Channing). One way or another, we believe God is anointing us to speak out. “Then one of the seraphs flew to me with a live coal in his hand, which he had taken with tongs from the altar. With it he touched my mouth…” (Isaiah 6:6)
This church is setting out to bring forth a new world, one person at a time, one church at a time, one layer of society at a time, and filled with the Holy Spirit, they believe that they can do it!
Rise Up Church!
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Contributed by Lesley Edwards; © the Author
