Believe or Follow

Neighborhood Ministry News

 I have just started reading a book called “What Matters Most” by Leonard Sweet.   One of the chapters begins with the question “is it better to believe or to follow”?    This isn’t something we think about often is it?  Someone might say I believe Jesus and live their life one way.  Another person might say I follow Jesus and lead a very different life from the person who said I believe Jesus. 

For when we say “believe” we often look at it as a set of beliefs to be followed closely and voila, we then have a right way to believe.  However, faith is more than a right set of beliefs.  It is far easier to believe than to follow, for following requires action! But more important than action itself is the relationship that prompts the action. 

Here is just an example:  When we are in a relationship with a neighbor and a need arises it is far easier to help that neighbor because we know them.  For when we don’t know them we have no idea what their need is.  Forming relationships takes time and is hard work.  It requires the two things God has given us:  love and forgiveness.  (That’s another topic for another month!)

Following means building a relationship and as we look closely at the nature of God we can easily see that we were created for relationship with Jesus, with our neighbors, and with creation.

Neighborhood Ministry "Reaching Beyond Our Walls"  

For more information about Neighborhood Ministry please call Nanette Christofferson @623-451-6902 or email nanette@peaceaz.org