Being Relational

So who are the people God has placed in your backyard? Who do you have relationship with?

We all have a particular sphere of influence which can include one or a number of the following:

• family - primary and extended family members
• where we live - people in our neighborhood
• where we work - colleagues
• where we study - school, university, online
• where we shop - shopping centres, supermarkets
• where we exercise - sport/fitness clubs
• where we take our kids - sport, daycare, school, parties
• where we socialise - social media, BBQs, parties, etc
• where we worship - church (do we assume that everyone at church is a Christian.....hmmm)

In every one of these environments we have relationship with people. Obviously we are more relational with some than others but every one of those people needs Jesus......if they haven't already found him. 

'Relational' evangelism is about sharing Jesus with these people in our spheres of influence. We don't have to go and find people to share Jesus with........they are already there! God has already put people in our lives for such a time as this.......to see a reflection of Jesus in normal everyday Christians like you and me.

In fact, instead of sharing Jesus, let's just tone it back a bit.........and just 'be Jesus' to the world. 

"Now hang on a minute Paul you can't be Jesus". 

Well, yeah of course, but WE are ambassadors of Christ (2 Cor 5:20), we are the people who re-present the character (attitudes, words and actions) of Jesus to the world around us. Opportunities to share will flow out of consistent expressions of God's love towards others. No need to rush.

All we need to do is to be aware of the power and love of Jesus that lives INSIDE of us and let the Holy Spirit flow out of us onto others in crazy amazing ways. But here's the key......more often than not this happens through our obedience....our step of faith.....our courage. 

In coming months I will unpack some more specific aspects of how we can be authentic representations of Christ to others......so stay tuned. The gospels are full of brilliant illustrations of how Jesus connected with people with whom he had some form of relationship and also those with whom he had just met!

He's the model........so let's allow more of Jesus to flow out of us onto others in our sphere.