“A growing body of believers following Jesus, committed to each other, and sharing the Gospel with the world.”
The four themes of our vision are essential in our life as Christians. These themes were the focus of Jesus’ teachings. They have to do with relationships.
A Growing Body of Believers Following Jesus
We are an assembly of believers in Jesus. Believing in Jesus keeps the other parts of our vision together. Our choice is good only when we live according to it.
Jesus said,
“I am the way, the truth, and the life. No man comes to the Father, but by me.” (John 14:6) b
We believe in Jesus and live by His teachings. We know that what we believe is the Truth because Jesus has changed our lives and many others. He has changed the history of humanity forever.
Further, as believers, we do not just come together for organized social events and religious ceremonies. We are together as a spiritual assembly of hearts united in faith and purpose. We are one body and have one head–the Lord Jesus Christ.
By keeping our vision before us, we embrace Jesus’ commandments and His way of life with great joy.
“For this is the love of God, that we keep His commandments, and His commandments are not grievous.” (1 John 5:3)
The First Commandment
We love God in His three persons–Father, Son, and Holy Spirit.
When a Pharisee asked Jesus about the greatest commandment in the Law, He responded:
“You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul and with all your mind. This is the first and great commandment.” (Matthew 22:37-38)
The first commandment involves a relationship with God. This is our priority.
We derive our devotion to God from understanding what Jesus has done for us. He is our Savior and our Lord. We love Jesus, and we have access to the Father through Him. We experience His love, and as newly adopted children, we can say “Abba, Father.” (Romans 8:15)
The Holy Spirit’s presence in our life seals our relationship with God. (Ephesians 1:13) We are no longer alone in our journey. The Comforter guides us daily from faith to faith. (Romans 1:17) Even when we fall, He helps us to see our faults and repent. Then, He gives us hope and enables us to overcome.
The Second Commandment
We love each other.
In answer to a Pharisee, Jesus said,
“And the second is like it. You shall love your neighbor as yourself. On these two commandments hang all the Law and the Prophets.” (Matthew 22:39-40)
Jesus also said,
“A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another; even as I have loved you, that you love one another. By this shall all men know that you are My disciples, if you love one another.” (John 13:34-35)
This commandment determines the relationships we have with each other.
God’s love is unconditional. Fervently loving the brothers out of a pure heart has a fantastic purifying power (1 Peter 1:22) because love covers a multitude of sins. (1 Peter 4:8)
Our love is not just a good feeling or an excuse to compromise our values. It is caring and being willing to give ourselves to others. Our actions must show it (1 John 3:18). This is how we know we have passed from death to life (1 John 3:14).
The Great Commission
Because of our love, we share the Good News at every opportunity.
Jesus’ final message to His followers was,
“All authority is given to Me in Heaven and on earth. Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all things that I have commanded you. And, behold, I am with you always, even to the end of the world.” (Matthew 28:18-20)
This message is clear and applies to every follower of Jesus Christ. This is the mission determining our relationship with the world.
We have something to share that the world needs. They reject the Good News because they do not understand. They have experienced man’s traditions, not the eternal life that Jesus has given us (1 John 5:11). We are ready to share the Good News with everyone because it is the power of God for salvation (Romans 1:16).
Personal evangelism was the way the early church reached the world. Doing it, with the help of the Holy Spirit, is the most thrilling experience anyone can have.