In regards to Vision….Out-Reach is certainly part of the mission that makes up the purpose of the Church. To see the lost saved and to teach the Gospel is a Primary, but Reaching in or “In-Reach” must also be present within the church. We have been brought together as brothers and sisters by the Blood of Jesus Christ. We are suppose to be the Family of God and to that end there are particular measures that we are expected to take. The Lord sees this church as His body and He is extremely concerned about how we treat each other.
Consider the Pharisee who sought to test Jesus concerning the Law. He said to the Lord, “Which is the greatest commandment?” It was a question designed to trap the Lord in a no-win maze. So many laws and to pick the wrong one would start a never ending argument, but the answer that Jesus gave was an open display of the very heart of God.
Mat 22:37-40 “Jesus said, Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind. This is the first and great commandment. And the second is like unto it, Thou shalt love thy neighbor as thyself. On these two commandments hang all the law and the prophets.”
Jesus said that everything written hinges on these two commands. Nothing stands if these are not the foundation. There are no laws, principles or truths outside of Loving the Lord and Loving each other. Even our desire to see new souls saved will fail if there is no love among the Body. The world will not believe that the church is for them if we are absent of the very thing they need most: Inclusion, Kindness, Acceptance. Our life’s story will one day be seen through the lenses of our compassion.
Pastor Jeffrey Harpole
