Come and see
John 1: 37 - 39 NKJV
A lot has been made recently of just it is that we should show others the truth of Christ Jesus in us {Galations 2:20}. On one side of the fence are those who hold fast to the old ways of "preaching" this truth to others. Now, this might include a direct conversation or, with those who might not understand nor have received this revelation of Christ, a "righteous" argument designed to make others see Christ. I have heard more than one radio preacher raise their voices as they called upon their listeners to never cease in their efforts to make others see the gospel of the Lord. Now, it might just be me, but if there is someone who is resistant to hearing the truth of Christ in them then the best which I can do is to continue to encourage them to see the truth. One christian practice which I have always found distasteful is that of tossing scripture at someone to prove your point. Seriously, I have seen far too many people engage in this to understand that any scripture can be cherry picked to prove a point. One persons understanding of a certain verse might not agree with anothers. This was never more evident than in our recent discussions within our Sunday morning group. Sure, we can butt our heads against a wall all day long arguing over the meaning of scriptures, but at what cost? Are we willing to sacrafice the fellowship of another to prove our point? To paraphrase a popular expression...what would Jesus do? Before you answer that question, consider that this is Jesus we're talking about. How did Jesus approach those who were simply curious about what He was teaching? Come and see. Come and see what it is I am speaking. We're told that when a few new disciples did come and see...that they remained with Jesus. Obviously these men saw or heard something which kept them in the presence of Jesus. So it is with us.
43The following day Jesus wanted to go to Galilee, and He found Philip and said to him, “Follow Me.” 44Now Philip was from Bethsaida, the city of Andrew and Peter. 45Philip found Nathanael and said to him, “We have found Him of whom Moses in the law, and also the prophets, wrote—Jesus of Nazareth, the son of Joseph.” 46And Nathanael said to him, “Can anything good come out of Nazareth?” Philip said to him, “Come and see.”
John 1: 43 - 45 NKJV
I have thought more than a few times of renaming our sunday morning group from McChurch to "come and see." After all, that is exactly what this group of Jesus seeking guys is doing. Each week we come together to experience, learn and see who Jesus truly is. Along the way we have come to realize that it is WE who Jesus lives through today. So it is that whenever someone will ask me about our sunday morning gathering I will simply tell them...come and see. I don't throw in some scripture about not forsaking our meeting together or how it is that we are required as christians to gather in His name. Forget all of that...just come and see. The one thing about tossing scriptures at someone is that it does not provide someone with the personal experience of knowing Jesus which I've felt since He was revealed in me. This is NOT a personal relationship with Christ. These are a few cherry picked verses which others will use as rules to live by. I'm sorry, but I don't see the new covenant of Christ we see in the new testamant as a list of rules I need to obey. Jesus has already nailed those requirements to the cross with Him {Colossions 2:14}. Besides, I'm the LAST person who can tell another brother how God wants him to live his own life. In His own way, God will reveal that to each of us. So, instead of beating someone over the head with that bible as seems to be the modern christian custom, we can invite others into that fellowship we share with Jesus. Come and see.
9But avoid foolish disputes, genealogies, contentions, and strivings about the law; for they are unprofitable and useless.
Titus 3: 9 NKJV
~Scott~
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