Bible; Sacraments; Charity; Fellowship

I don’t like the word ‘evangelical’ any more.  What it denotes has been lost it what it now connotes, which all too often leads to the word being used either as a fundamentalist banner to be waved at perceived enemies, or as a pejorative term by those who embrace other theological or social positions. 

Instead I’ll use ‘friendship with Jesus Christ’ as a means to express the high, wonderful and mysterious calling of walking The Way of Jesus.   Friendship with Christ involves encountering the Risen Word of God (Jesus) in ever-new ways, as we engage in a life which is wholly a life of worship to God.  That’s all well and good, but how is the Christian, or rather, the friend of God, to put one foot in front of another as we walk along the Way?

Four words are useful here:

Bible – the written word of God, in which we encounter The Living Word of God.  The Bible may be read, studied and lived out.  This is the primary means of encountering Christ.  The Holy Spirit, who always points to Christ, will lift the words from the pages into our hearts and minds as we read, and hours, days, week and years afterwards.

Sacraments:  Christ comes to us in special ways as we obey his commands.  All Christians recognize that we encounter Christ in baptism and in communion (Eucharist).  I personally would also embrace marriage as a sacrament, for those who choose it.  Catholic and Orthodox Christians will embrace other practices as sacraments too, such as confirmation/chrismation, holy orders, reconciliation and anointing with oil.  In all cases, these acts of obedience and dependence upon Christ acts as channels in our lives through which Christ gives Himself to us.

Charity – or perhaps Charity and Service.   John Wesley would call them acts of charity – the active living out of the good news by loving others, especially the marginalized, those with no voice, the humble and our enemies.  When we live out our trust in Jesus, it honors Him, brings Him glory and makes us more like Him – we are changed by obedience.  We encounter Christ.  

Fellowship.  Much as the church is easy to criticize, it is Jesus’ idea, and His gift to each of us.  We belong together.  Church is where we can bring our gifts and talents to bless others, and also be blessed by others; where we can become known, and know others; where we can pray for and be prayed for.  Fellowship - the living and worshiping together – reflects the relationships within the Holy Trinity, into which all humankind is invited – by amazing grace.   As we fellowship, forgive and build each other up, we encounter Christ and become more Christ-like.