ridiculous story

ridiculous story

The Christian faith was birthed by a small tribe of shepherd people who were the bearers of a radical new concept, and this concept became the basis for not only a new form of religion, but of a better way to live.

In that day, the dominant theology was pagan religion. They believed that divine creatures predated creation and humanity, but the gods themselves had been created by some mystical force. Supreme deity was not imposed on these gods, as each tribe and people group worshipped their own gods and followed their own set of morals and laws.

In this landscape, a ridiculous story began. It spoke of a personal relationship with God. It declared that not only was God good (James 1:17) but that he was also all-powerful; the one true God (John 14:6)

This ridiculous story grew, stating not only the supremacy of a true God, but also a bold, new relationship between God and humanity. It spoke of an intimate and personal relationship with God, and His desire to engage the heart of people groups from all tribes and nations. This wasn’t a new form of “religion” nor did it attempt to destroy the religious ideology of its day. Instead, it became the personal testimony of a group of people speaking out of the context of their own personal relationship with Creator God.

But where did this leave people groups who were entrenched in pagan theology and skeptical of rejecting this new form of “truth”? Were they condemned, marginalized, left out of God’s design and plan for humanity?

Joel 2:32 describes God’s definitive plan for mankind, a way to bridge economic, racial, religious, and political divides; “And everyone who calls on the name of the LORD will be saved…”

So today we continue to celebrate our unique and personal relationship with God. And just as important, we reach out of our own “family” with the passion to share the truth that Jesus has a plan and destiny for all of humanity.