Christ Died for the World

Christ died for the world, while we were yet sinners He died for us (Romans 5:8). So now that I am born again, do I get to believe that I can remain untouched and isolated from the same world Christ died for?

Isaiah said, “The Spirit of the Lord God is upon me, because the Lord has anointed and qualified me to preach the Gospel of good tidings to the meek, the poor, and afflicted; He has sent me to bind up and heal the brokenhearted, to proclaim liberty to the [physical and spiritual] captives and the opening of the prison and of the eyes to those who are bound, to proclaim the acceptable year of the Lord [the year of His favor] and the day of vengeance of our God, to comfort all who mourn…” (Isaiah 61:1-2).

This is our calling too. Our salvation was one of the most important and impactful gifts He gave us, but it’s not simply to save us from hell. No, Jesus saved us so we would be His beacon of Light to a dying world, to bring His Life forth through us. We are now the Salt of the earth and the Light on the hill to proclaim the Good News to a dying world.

Light into Darkness

Does this mean I have to become a street preacher? Not necessarily. The most effective witness is lived out our lives as a living parable. My life is to be a display of the very Life of Christ. He infiltrates the darkness by bringing His Light into this dark world. I don’t have to be a professional pastor to have this happen.

Christ goes into all the nations through the individual lives of His born again children as they live among the lost. What I have learned is the lost doesn’t want to hear my words as much as they desire to see His Life manifest in common ordinary life. Think about this, say our family witnesses wretched uncle George getting saved and becoming Light. That’s a huge testimony to the power of Christ. If ole wretched George’s life can change and become NEW, maybe it can happen to me too.

Many Christians see their salvations relegated to the sanctuaries. It’s more like moving into a new resort town and once they’re there they want nobody else to come. You know what I am talking about? I live in one of these towns. It is a small rural community in the North Georgia mountains. I have seen many come up here and get all settled and then didn’t want a bunch more people to come find this oasis. They were happy to be in and more people would only make more traffic…yuck! Well, this can only go so far. Our salvation is not a “safe space.” Once we have reached the mountain top, we are often led back into the valley of humiliation with our new Life.

He Died for the World, Lives Matter

Here is my purpose. I’ve been brought to salvation in order to seed my lost world for the Kingdom. This is my responsibility. Wow, while the world infects with the disease of darkness and sin, Christ in me comes into my world to overcome and defeat that darkness! Christ didn’t save me to separate me and isolate me from the world. On the contrary, He saved me to be a source of entrance—His.

I can interact with my world and be utterly gracious because I have been given The Gift all need. I don’t have to come needy or looking to get something, I have the highest Prize.  And this Prize is Him! Christ bestowed upon me the privilege of participation with Him. It’s like He in me is the catalyst for change. If I refuse to live in and among the world, I prevent that spiritual chemical reaction. I’m not here to judge the world, but to change it. But if I am unwilling to be in the world, literally to rub shoulders with the lost and to allow His life to manifest and be imparted, then I am thwarting my purpose. I’m not advocating living fleshly lives with the world and sin, but I’m also not given the right to hole up in the church simply waiting for His return.

Kingdom Vision

It is all about vision. To have a Kingdom mentality is to be motivated to establish His Kingdom government in my world. I can’t do this by hiding in my pew. Christ paid a high price by dying for a lost world, and now He will die in me to see that world saved for the Kingdom. God so loved the world, and that same love is in me to set free captives and bind up the wounds of the broken. I have to be in the world because He loves the world, so much so He died for the world.

For more on this subject check out the series of podcasts that started this past weekend (June 14) that will continue on for 5 weeks. I think you will be truly blessed!