True Evangelical Faith

Fotothek df tg 0004215 Münze ^ Gedenkmünze ^ S...Image via Wikipedia
Below are words of Menno Simons (1496-1561), yes, the founder of the Mennonites. These words exemplify the notion that evangelical faith is one that is lived out in community and service. It is "incarnational."

Too often evangelical faith has been concerned about what one had on the inside (Jesus) and not how one loved because of the acceptance of Christ's first love of us. What's going on inside of us in faith will be shown with what we do with our bodies and our lives.
True evangelical faith is of such a nature it cannot lie dormant, but spreads itself out in all kinds of righteousness and fruits of love;

it dies to flesh and blood (1);
it destroys all lusts and forbidden desires (2);
it seeks, serves and fears God in its inmost soul (3);
it clothes the naked (4);
it feeds the hungry (5);
it comforts the sorrowful (6);
it shelters the destitute (7);
it aids and consoles the sad (8);
it does good to those who do it harm (9);
it serves those that harm it (10);
it prays for those who persecute it (11);
it teaches, admonishes and judges us with the Word of the Lord (12);
it seeks those who are lost (13);
it binds up what is wounded (14);
it heals the sick (15);
it saves what is strong (sound) (16);
it becomes all things to all people (17).

The persecution, suffering and anguish that come to it for the sake of the Lord’s truth have become a glorious joy and comfort to it.

What's cool about these words is how all-encompassing Menno's views faith are. There are aspects of sanctification in the individual life. There are aspects of peacemaking, justice, evangelism, and healing.

Too often Christianity has been concerned only about belief and not about life. The two are connected. Wesley, of course, got this as well. But here it is from another source.

VIA
Enhanced by Zemanta

0 comments