Wednesday, January 8, 2014

Mission Trip Update


There are more important things in life than arguing over who wronged whom in the latest round of A&E vs. Duck Dynasty, and it saddens my heart that so many people are missing out on the true meaning of Christianity. The worst part on either side is those who are judging and throwing stones, they are in the wrong. Jesus did not come to create divisions among his people, but to save us from our sins. “For God sent not his Son into the world to condemn the world; but that the world through him might be saved.” (John 3:17)
The bible clearly teaches what are sinful acts and guess what, we are guilty of committing them. I am not any different, as I am a person struggling with sin daily. The punishment of these sins is death, but thankfully we have a God who is mercifully and sent His perfect Son to pay that price for us. “For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.” (Romans 6:23)
This is the perfect example of sacrificial love. This is the same kind of love that Jesus calls us to share with us others; however, when we are too busy judging others whom we are not fit to judge. We are not loving each other in the manner with which Christ calls us to love. In fact, we turn people off to the gospel and then they miss out on their eternal salvation. Paul, in his letter to Corinth, tells us how to love. While in modern day we often think of this as a love between a husband and a wife, this is how we should love everybody, regardless of their sins. Because if we love them and show them Jesus’s love, then Jesus and Jesus alone can change someone's heart and help them repent from their sins. Judging and shouting harsh condemnations, or making blanketed social media statuses, do nothing but harden a person heart to the Gospel.
Jesus tells us that our great commission is to spread the gospel to the ends of the earth (Matthew 28:19-20), but we get too caught up in telling others how they are wrong that we forget this. I am making a humble effort to try and change how I live my life. I am trying to fulfill, as best I can in my sinful nature, the great commission.
As many of you know I was supposed to go to Haiti in January to help spread the gospel there, but unfortunately due to corrupt politicians and an unstable situation that trip was cancelled. God had a different plan for me, he has opened the opportunity to travel to Thailand on a mission trip.
Several of you donated money to help send me to Haiti, I plan on using this money to travel to Thailand instead. If you are not ok with this decision please let me know and I will return the money to you. I am truly humbled and blessed by your support. I ask that you pray for me, as well as the rest of the team that will be heading out from South Side Baptist Church in June. God calls us to love one another and to spread His gospel for the redemption of all people. We can only do this when we submit our lives to his will and love others as he first love us.