Sometimes I wonder why people don’t respond to the Church’s
invitation. The Gospel is a message of freedom and peace, not slavery and
anxiety. So why are so many Christians miserable? Citing the Old Testament Jesus
said, “The Spirit of the LORD is upon Me, Because He has anointed Me To preach
the gospel to the poor; He has sent Me to heal the brokenhearted, To proclaim
liberty to the captives And recovery of sight to the blind, To set at liberty
those who are oppressed; To proclaim the acceptable year of the LORD."
(Luke 4.17-18) Who wouldn’t want the things Jesus offers in today’s Gospel?
Who do you know that is sick and doesn’t want to be healed?
Who do you know that is a slave and doesn’t want to be free?
Who do you know that is blind and doesn’t want to see?
If you are like me, I don’t know anyone who would not
welcome the good news of today’s Gospel. There is only one problem…..most of us
Christians don’t actually live as if this is good news.
Many would rather their soul be sick than choose to confess
their sins to their spiritual father.
Many would rather remain a slave to material comforts than
choose to live simple lives.
Many would rather not see their own sin than choose
repentance and the holy life.
It is no wonder so many who need the Church walk by every day
without ever walking in her doors. In the ancient Church lives were changed by
the Gospel of Christ. Early believers left sinful lifestyles for the holy life.
Early believers opened their eyes to the slavery of sin and freed themselves in
Christ. The new life, The Way as it became known, was attractive to others who
asked how they could find the same peace these strange Christians seemed to
find. The early Church lived the good news and it attracted attention!
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