The radiance of the glory of God

Friday. This is a teacher's favorite day of the week. I suppose you could argue it is anyone's favorite day of the week, however, I would argue that a teacher's Friday is much more exciting than most.

Wednesday night we had our monthly (ish) Campus Outreach Leader's Meeting. Here we made a lot of discussion about where we wanted this semester to go, and what we would be begging God for as this year comes to a close. We also talked about what we needed more of, or, what we were lacking as a ministry. Much was said, but the one thing that stood out to me was what we "needed" as leaders on campus. As Christians, what do we need more of in order to impact the world for Christ? What is stopping us from telling everyone the good news? What are we missing...?

The solution: more training on sharing the gospel.

I agree whole-heartedly that we need to learn how to lovingly and effectively share the Gospel. In Tim Keller's book, GOD IS THE GOSPEL, he writes, "When the gospel is proclaimed, it must be explained. Unintelligible good news is not even news, let alone good." Then he goes to further explain, "Doctrine guards the diamonds of the gospel from being discarded as mere crystals. Doctrine protects the treasures of the gospel from the pirates who don't like the diamonds but make a living trading them for other stones. Doctrine polishes the old gems buried at the bottom of the chest. It puts the jewels of gospel truth in order on the scarlet tapestry of history so each is seen in its most beautiful place." This alone reminds me how important it is that we know the gospel, but also know how to share it in a way that its beauty is seen for all it is.

All this is true.
But, I think it is more than this.

I think we are missing Jesus. We are missing the beauty of the gospel itself. The radiance, Himself, of the glory of God. If we knew Jesus more. If we knew His character and truly believed in who He was, what He came to do, and what He has promised us, we would never hold back. We would never let pride in the way. We would never let fear stop us from telling the world what He has done, and where we are going apart from God. How are we missing this huge truth? The world is on fire and we can't even smell the smoke. We are so blinded by the world that we forget the glory of our Maker! We forget our only purpose. I'm talking to myself here as much as anyone else. It is just truly baffling.

"Long ago, at many times and in many ways, God spoke to our fathers by the prophets, but in these last days he has spoken to us by his Son, whom he appointed the heir of all things, through whom also he created the world. He is the radiance of the glory of God and the exact imprint of His nature. He upholds the universe by the word of his power. After making purification for sins, he sat down at the right hand of the Majesty on high." Hebrews 1:1-3

What we need is more time with God. To know Him more intimately. To know who He is, and how that shapes who we are as His children.

I pray we can know Jesus more today.

"For we have no lasting city, but we seek the city that is to come. Through him let us continually offer up a sacrifice of praise to God, that is, the fruit of lips that acknowledge His name. Do not neglect to do good and to share what you have, for such sacrifices are pleasing to God." Hebrews 13: 14-16