Jesus says, "Come" and then he says, "Go"

Do you remember the movie Stripes with Bill Murray, John Candy, and Harold Ramis?  I know its not a Christian movie for sure but there is a scene and a concept that I'd like to use as a powerful visual to segue to what I feel God led me to today. The characters that these men played were initially longhaired, undisciplined, and unmotivated.  They were going nowhere fast in life and needed help. There was a poster that was famous at the time.  It was Uncle Sam pointing his finger at you saying "I want you." It was a message to young men who needed some direction, some skills, and some discipline to "Come!"

So here is the scene:  There is a long line of recruits in bell bottom jeans with long hair and unshaved faces smiling, laughing, and joking as they waited their turn to enter a building to be processed and get their uniforms.  They had listened to the recruiting mantra and followed the prompt to "Come" and they did just that but the Army wasn't going to leave them they way they came.  The scene unfolds with the men having their heads shaved and then they emerge from the building humbled and painted with sad puppy dog faces.  But the Army called them not to keep them in the barracks but to train them, grow them, discipline them and then send them "out".  In other words they first said "Come" and then said, "Go".

Here is the segue: God says, "Come" then he says "Go"

The Bible says that Jesus came into the world to save sinners, to seek and to save that which was lost.  When he did come, his message was clear but he also reminded us of our need for God's help as well.  Jesus said, "Come to me all you are weary and burdened and I will give you rest." He said, "Let the little children come to me.” and "If anyone is thirsty, let him come to me and drink."  His offer to the people was for them to "Come".  He reminded us of our weakness and our innate tendency not to come and told us that we needed the Father to first draw us to him.  Jesus was saddened by those who were drawn to him, grabbed hold of religion but not to him and in the end had not come.  "You diligently study the Scriptures because you think that by them you possess eternal life.  These are the Scriptures that testify about me, yet you refuse to come to me to have life."

We come to Jesus like Bill Murray and John Candy did (broken, weak, undisciplined, and unfit.)  We didn't get shaved up, cleaned up, and in tiptop shape first but we came as we were. It was the Holy Spirit who came in and started us in boot camp.  The message to the world is to "Come!"  Business men, athletes, tall people, skinny people, heavy people, black people, white people, Asians, Scandinavians, and Africans.  Prostitutes, tax collectors, porn addicts, crack addicts, straight, gay, millionaires, and the homeless. Republicans, Democrats, Socialists, and Communists.  Jesus knew that sinners came in all shapes and sizes and then ALL need to be reconciled (made in right standing) to God.  Did Jesus come to justify sin? NO! But he came to free us from it.  Isaiah said in chapter 61 (the impetus for this ministry) that he came to preach good news to the poor, bind up the broken hearted, free the captives, and to release prisoners from the darkness. AMAZING!  So if you are human and in need of freedom and life then COME!  

So what happens after we come and receive life through Jesus Christ?  God by the power of his Holy Spirit begins to clean us up and get us into shape (spiritually). We are made into the likeness of his Son.  This is a slow process that the Bible calls "sanctification" but just means to be made holy like God is holy.  The Bible really shows this both as something that has happened and is happening.  But here is where God has shown me that he brings us in the door and then sends us out again.  The Word tells us that Jesus "sent them (the Apostles) out two by two and gave them authority over evil spirits."  It says he "sent them out to preach the kingdom of God and to heal the sick."  In Matthew 28, Jesus said, "Therefore, go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you."

So here is the thought for the day:  If you have been nudged by God to seek him or have felt emptiness in the meaningless pursuit of life without God then COME. Jesus tells us that those who come will in no way be cast out. Remember though, when you come God will not let you hold unto your sin no matter how much you cling to it, rationalize it, or justify it.  His desire is to see you whole. And, if you have already come and are born again into the family of God you should not just sit comfortably in your grace and life but need to GO OUT and lead others to Christ.  You can do it with the gifts you've been given.  For some it may mean caring for the homeless in the name if Christ.  For others it may mean raising your children with the love and knowledge of Christ.  For some it may mean flying to Cambodia to bring Bibles to those in dark and dangerous house churches.  The Army brought the men in one door and sent them out another. They came in as a ragtag group of hippies and walked out as a "mean lean fighting machine"

Grace and Peace,

David