Striving To Live Out The Love Of Christ

Whatever happens, conduct yourselves in a manner worthy of the gospel of Christ. Phil 1:27

Over the past few months our church has been working towards defining the vision for the gathering as it relates to our community and beyond. I read through the vision statements from so many different churches and they all seemed quite fine for their Faith Gathering but nothing really resonated with me in relation to our focus at Main Avenue Fellowship. We sat around the table discussing who we are, how we are perceived by the community and how we would like to be perceived. We were very blunt and realistic with our review.

We recognized that we are not as pure as the driven snow but we are really trying. So many in the world think you need to be perfect and sinless to come through the doors of the church but, truth be told, we have all sinned and fall short of the glory of God but His grace is fully sufficient. He wants us all to realize that the church is the perfect place for all God’s children to come and realize the cleansing grace of Christ. My responsibility, our responsibility, is to allow His grace to cleanse us. When that happens, the journey begins and we strive to live out the love of Christ in all we do.

For I was hungry and you gave me something to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you invited me in, I needed clothes and you clothed me, I was sick and you looked after me, I was in prison and you came to visit me.’

“Then the righteous will answer him, ‘Lord, when did we see you hungry and feed you, or thirsty and give you something to drink? When did we see you a stranger and invite you in, or needing clothes and clothe you? When did we see you sick or in prison and go to visit you?’

“The King will reply, ‘Truly I tell you, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me.’ Matt 25:35-40 NIV

Sunday marks the first Sunday of Advent, Hope! Where there is Christ’s love, there is always hope.

Blessings on you all

Pastor Todd