In speaking with pastor Dan last night, it was revealed to me a primary purpose of ministry. That purpose is to bridge the gaps. Christians today have been too focused on creating gaps instead of bridging the gaps. For example, the gap between sinners (unsaved people) and saints (saved people). Some within the Christian religion love making that separation as big as possible without trying to create a clear bridge for sinners to become saints. But Christ reached out to sinners, loved them, and created bridges. And so should we.
Our lives are full of gaps. A gap is something that hinders people from reaching the other side. I have witnessed hurting people that have experienced multiple types of gaps in their lives. These gaps cause them to struggle with life and love. Four common gaps in life are…
Gaps between people and God
The major gap between people and God is sin. Sin causes separation (Isaiah 59:2). We have all fallen short of the glory of God. We all have sinned (Romans 3:23) and need a bridge to help us cross back into communion with God. Thankfully that bridge was created by our loving God. Jesus was sent to earth as the perfect sacrifice to bridge the gap (Hebrews 7:25). Because of the work done on calvary we can cross the bridge and fellowship with God. If you have a gap between you and God, get out of the sin business and get in the business of knowing Christ.
Our lives are full of gaps. A gap is something that hinders people from reaching the other side. I have witnessed hurting people that have experienced multiple types of gaps in their lives. These gaps cause them to struggle with life and love. Four common gaps in life are…
Gaps between people and God
The major gap between people and God is sin. Sin causes separation (Isaiah 59:2). We have all fallen short of the glory of God. We all have sinned (Romans 3:23) and need a bridge to help us cross back into communion with God. Thankfully that bridge was created by our loving God. Jesus was sent to earth as the perfect sacrifice to bridge the gap (Hebrews 7:25). Because of the work done on calvary we can cross the bridge and fellowship with God. If you have a gap between you and God, get out of the sin business and get in the business of knowing Christ.
Gaps Between People and Others
The gap between people is hate. Hate grows out of many situations. People hurt others, use others, abuse others, and cause all kinds of hurt and pain. This hurt and pain is heavy baggage that many of us carry around all the time. God wants us to be free from all this baggage. It’s not an easy thing to forgive others, it’s not easy to mend broken relationships. But through Christ living within us we can overcome this gap. Ephesians 4:32 tells us to be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, as God in Christ forgave you. If we carry around the baggage of hate and brokenness in relationships we keep a gap between us and others. God seeks for us to bridge this gap.
The gap between people is hate. Hate grows out of many situations. People hurt others, use others, abuse others, and cause all kinds of hurt and pain. This hurt and pain is heavy baggage that many of us carry around all the time. God wants us to be free from all this baggage. It’s not an easy thing to forgive others, it’s not easy to mend broken relationships. But through Christ living within us we can overcome this gap. Ephesians 4:32 tells us to be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, as God in Christ forgave you. If we carry around the baggage of hate and brokenness in relationships we keep a gap between us and others. God seeks for us to bridge this gap.
Gaps between people and Church
What a gap that has been created between people and Church. Christians have caused so many gaps in this relationship that many who want to come to God are stumbling over those who claim to be God’s people. Traditions, hypocrisy, legalism, hate, and many other stumbling blocks have been placed between God’s people and seeing the Church. We as the body of Christ have an obligation to remove the stumbling blocks and reveal God’s divine institution, the spotless bride of Christ to the world. People who claim to serve Christ have caused this gap and it’s their responsibility to bridge that gap.
Gaps between “church” people
One of the saddest gaps that has been created is between “church” people. Denominations and other practices have caused much grief and separation between people who are pointing others toward heaven. We tend to make “church” a sport with winning and losing teams being congregations. When we should be reaching our hands out to fellowship with every blood washed one. Christ prayed for the unity of his people (John 17:22-23). If it was dear to his heart right before going to the cross, it should be dear to our hearts also. Divisions in Christianity cause many christians to stumble. It has the world asking, “What church is right?” When in all honesty we should all be pointing toward the one true Church that all the saved belong to. We are all brothers and sisters in Christ and there should not be division.
Are there any gaps in your life? If so bring them with you to pChoG. We care about helping people bridge gaps and find God. We all have gaps and struggles in life. But thankfully God has made bridges for each if we seek them. You will be hearing much more about gaps and bridges in the future, this is what God laid on my heart and I don’t see it moving too far away from it anytime soon.
Live for Christ,
Pastor Jason
What a gap that has been created between people and Church. Christians have caused so many gaps in this relationship that many who want to come to God are stumbling over those who claim to be God’s people. Traditions, hypocrisy, legalism, hate, and many other stumbling blocks have been placed between God’s people and seeing the Church. We as the body of Christ have an obligation to remove the stumbling blocks and reveal God’s divine institution, the spotless bride of Christ to the world. People who claim to serve Christ have caused this gap and it’s their responsibility to bridge that gap.
Gaps between “church” people
One of the saddest gaps that has been created is between “church” people. Denominations and other practices have caused much grief and separation between people who are pointing others toward heaven. We tend to make “church” a sport with winning and losing teams being congregations. When we should be reaching our hands out to fellowship with every blood washed one. Christ prayed for the unity of his people (John 17:22-23). If it was dear to his heart right before going to the cross, it should be dear to our hearts also. Divisions in Christianity cause many christians to stumble. It has the world asking, “What church is right?” When in all honesty we should all be pointing toward the one true Church that all the saved belong to. We are all brothers and sisters in Christ and there should not be division.
Are there any gaps in your life? If so bring them with you to pChoG. We care about helping people bridge gaps and find God. We all have gaps and struggles in life. But thankfully God has made bridges for each if we seek them. You will be hearing much more about gaps and bridges in the future, this is what God laid on my heart and I don’t see it moving too far away from it anytime soon.
Live for Christ,
Pastor Jason
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