A Private Faith

Australian Prime Minister Kevin Rudd was on the hot seat last night, on ABC1's new show 'Q and A'. He was asked about his religious beliefs and he said that he keeps his religious beliefs private. Someone else said that to me recently; they said, 'I like to keep my faith to myself...'

I believe that a private faith, is not a biblical faith. The Bible calls us to go. Isaiah records God saying, 'Who will go for me?' Matthew writes of Jesus, 'GO into all the World...' We are told in the New Testament to be ready to give a testimony about our Lord. We should have such a close relationship with Jesus, that others need to hear the good news.

By keeping our faith to ourselves:
(1) Christianity will be dead within a generation. How does anyone ever hear about Jesus??! (It's kinda like every couple choosing never to have Children! The Human Race goes extinct)
(2) We are really showing our own selfishness. We have a message of hope, of redemption, of full salvation, and we want to keep it to ourselves!
(3) We highlight a fear/decision of not wanting to share the message of Jesus.
(a) because the message of Jesus hasn't really impacted us much in the first place...
(b) We are afraid of the consequences of sharing the faith we have
(c) We've never really thought of what our testimony about God actually is, and so we are unsure what message we are sharing.

A public faith, is a passionate faith. It makes us vulnerable. It relies on God for protection, and personal self-esteem. It does not let fear hold it back.

Do you know one of the greatest things The Salvation Army in the Australia Southern Territory struggles with? Is sharing its faith with other people (NCD results 2006/7).

The tide is turning though. Go from private to public (and I'm not talking about healthcare!)

Knock, Knock!

Knock, Knock.

Who's There?

It's the Salvos!!

You guessed it. It's time for the Red Shield Appeal. I know you're busy... but is it worthwhile? Definitely. Put on your two pair of socks, and your tracky pants. Have your collecting bag ready to go. What an opportunity!

We could see it as a chore. Sure. We could choose to see it as a hindrance. If you like. I prefer to see it as an opportunity. An opportunity to talk to people on the streets. A chance to rally together teams united and striving after a common purpose. A moment when The Salvation Army will not only raise $8 million or so nation wide, but when differing cultures/organisations intersect, and excitement is paramount!

Play it up. It's an exciting thing and a great blessing from God. Praise Jesus.

Some comments/thoughts...

* Happy Birthday to my Dad! Hope you've had a great day...

* A good leader turns followers into good leaders.

* 'A nation that continues year after year to spend more money on military defence than on programs of social uplift is approaching spiritual doom' (Martin Luther King, Jr.)

* Even if we are unfaithful, God is always faithful! (Good preaching Jo!)

* Dave Collinson has some things to say, check it out: www.captaincollo.blogspot.com

* 'Let your roots grow down into Christ and draw up nourishment from him. See that you go on growing in the Lord, and become strong and vigorous in the truth' (Col 2:7).

* Part of the Soldier's Covenant:
'I will be active in God's work both in sharing the gospel and in serving the needy, and will contribute financially to its support'.

* Thanks to the anonymous donation given on my Red Shield Appeal site (Link on right). Don't forget to make a donation and donate some time collecting. Use this as an opportunity to connect with people from the community...

* Congratulations to my mate Shaun Featherston, on his new job at Point Cook (Snr) Secondary College. Bless ya mate!