2022_09_02 Insight Post- Emma Keeton
This week’s reading- 2 Corinthians 1-2
“But thanks be to God, who always leads us as captives in Christ’s triumphal procession and uses us to spread the aroma of the knowledge of Him everywhere.” 2 Corinthians 2:14
I recently heard about the evangelism practices of the ancient church. The early Christians were heavily persecuted and their lives were in danger if they professed faith in Christ. Instead of spreading the gospel with words, they aimed to look like Jesus so others would look on and see that something was different. If the early Christians were approached and asked about how they were living, they would carefully share the gospel making sure that the inquirer was not a spy. Next, they would take the interested person through 3 years of discipleship and only then would the person be presented with the option to follow Christ. If they chose to be a follower, they would be baptized as a symbol of turning from the past and now being a new creation. Being a Christian was not a hobby, but a complete identity change.
Thanks be to God that in many of us now live in countries where we can live in religious freedom, but there are lessons we can learn from these early Christians.
In 2 Corinthians 2:12-16 Paul speaks of “spreading the aroma of the knowledge of him everywhere,” but what scent are we giving off? I am left questioning if my day to actions and words match up.
Ephesians 5:2 tells us to “walk in love, as Christ loved us and gave himself up for us, a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God.” If we walk in Christ’s love the fragrance we spread will be sweet. Loving others is the litmus test for how we are growing in Christ. If we walk in love we will be evangelizing to people without noticing. And just like the early Christians we should “always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give a reason for the hope that you have.” 1 Peter 3:15
Morning Offering – Author Unknown
Lord Jesus,
I give you my hands to do your work.
I give you my feet to follow your path.
I give you my eyes to see as you see.
I give you my ears to hear as you hear.
I give you my tongue to speak your words.
I give you my mind so you can think in me.
I give you my spirit so you can pray in me.
Above all I give you my heart so in me you
can love your Father and all people.
I give you my whole self so you can grow in me,
till it is you who live and work, love and pray in me.
Amen
Emma Keeton
Prayer Team Lead