A Methodist Way of Life

How can we support each other in our Way of Life commitments?

What a journey since we embarked on our exploration of A Methodist Way of Life.

We have ventured into familiar as well as unfamiliar waters exploring our Calling. But what is certain is that we need to carry on this journey with the support of others. I remember a young lad attending a Church Uniformed organisation who came how very excited that the next week he was going to be ‘envolved’; of course he meant enrolled, but was there a greater significance in his misuse of words. 

The kingdom news of Jesus is all about involvement and belonging, isn’t it. In Romans 1:6, Paul greets the church in Rome by saying, “including you who are called to belong to Jesus Christ.” All of Scripture shouts to the world that we belong to God. In the beginning, humanity was created to be in perfect union with God and belong to Him, for we are His creation (Genesis 1:26). There is an intimacy that was always part of His original design for our relationship with Him. We are His masterpiece and reflect the image of God in this world (Ephesians 2:10). Christ’s motivation to bring us back to Himself is the very premise of the incarnation. God came down and entered into the muck and mire of this world. Why? Because we belong to Him.

Belong, is a mid fourteen century word that means, “to go along with”, “to relate to”.

Why note use the skills we spoke of earlier in July to reflect upon Ephesians 2:13-15

“But now you belong to Christ Jesus. At one time you were far away from God. Now you have been brought close to Him. Christ did this for you when He gave His blood on the cross.  We have peace because of Christ. He has made the Jews and those who are not Jews one people. He broke down the wall that divided them. He stopped the fighting between them by His death on the cross. He put an end to the Law. Then He made of the two people one new kind of people like Himself. In this way, He made peace.”

Loving Heavenly Father, we thank you for the words you have given us today. We know that your words are words of life and salvation. Open our hearts Father, touch our souls, forgive us our sins, our lack of faith, help us to respond to your word. Help us to know that you are our Shepherd who leads us to green pastures, and may we experience in our hearts how we are loved and saved by you. Amen.