The Whole Word

The German Theologian, Dietrich Bonhoeffer, once remarked during an address "We want to give the world the whole word, not a half word - a courageous word, a Christian word." It would seem if ever the whole word was needed, it is today.

As a Pastor, I am continually amazed by the audasity of the culture we live in, a worldy culture. I am also equally amazed at the lack of courage we as Christians often exhibit in our struggles with this culture. We continually absorb the challenges of our cultural misnorms with very little resistance. We refrain from discussing the word of God because we have been told over and over again that some folks find it offensive or feel disconnected because they feel its moral direction constricting. We ecco the words of Paul, who told us to not be conformed to the world but be transformed by the renewing of our mind without guarding our minds.

As believers, we need the whole word of God but we must also be ready to take on the worldly culture we are immersed in. We must do so with courage and commitment. We must also remember the word we take forward must be a Christian word. It must be focused on Jesus Christ, his birth, his ministry, his death, and his resurrection.We must share what Christ is doing in our lives, the encouragement he brings, and the changes produced by a life of faith.

A Christian word, centered in Jesus Christ, not what is often culturally acceptable. We are not called to be offensive, hurtful, or brutish to others. We are called to bring forth the "good news" that Jesus saves sinners, changes lives, comforts the hurting, brings peace in the most difficult moments of our lives and that salvation can only be found through our relationship with him. This is what people want to hear and this is what the world needs to hear. So remember Christian, we want to give the world the whole word, the full story, not just half or bits and peaces. It takes courage to share the whole word of God because it is a Christian word, a Christ-centered word, but now more than ever, it is the word the world needs to hear.

RefRev