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The Right Ingredients
October 29, 2011

Although my culinary skills remain undeveloped, occasionally I use a box of premixed ingredients to make a cake. After adding eggs, vegetable oil, and water, I stir it all together. To bake a palate-pleasing cake, it’s vital to have the correct balance of the right ingredients. That helps me picture the relationship of the greatest commandment (Matt. 22:36-38) and the Great Commission (28:19-20) as we spread the gospel.

When Jesus told His followers to go and make disciples of all nations, He did not give them permission to be rude and uncaring as they did so. His own citing of the “first and great commandment”—to love God with all your heart, soul, and mind—was quickly followed by the call to “love your neighbor as yourself” (Matt. 22:37-39). Throughout the New Testament, we find this model of compassionate, respectful living restated many places, including “the love chapter” (1 Cor. 13) and Peter’s instruction to give a reason for the hope within us “with gentleness and respect” (1 Peter 3:15 NIV).

In our eagerness to share Christ with others, we must always include a healthy balance of those two ingredients—the true gospel and godly love. This wonderfully sweet cake bakes best in the warmth of God’s love.

Lord, help me to love with both words and deeds,
To reach out to sinners and meet their needs;
Lord, burden my heart for those lost in sin,
With mercy and love that flows from within. —Fitzhugh

They witness best who witness with their lives.

Read: Matthew 22:34-39; 28:16-20

Always be ready to give a defense . . . with meekness. —1 Peter 3:15

Bible in a year:
Jeremiah 18-19; 2 Timothy 3

About 30 years ago I became friends, best friend with a lovely person. JR, we worked together in the same real estate office of 18, in West Texas. She lived in Oregon when she was growing into an adult. I lived in Oklahoma. She drank wine. I begin to join her for a glass or two of wine. Her parents were killed in an automobile accident on a trip. Following this my friend began a search for the meaning of it all. She had another friend that was “New Age”. Only it wasn't called that. It was called "the Church of Religious Science" ... started by Ernest Holmes.

I am a Southern Baptist. JR is gregarious, generous, the ‘Pearl Mesta’ as giving the best parties of this town and has 1000 'best friends'. JR does believe ... that “it is as one believes”. So she looks for the good in any situation. JR does not believe in Jesus (”He was a good teacher.”) She sees no need for salvation. She has been taught that the word for sin means “missing the mark”. So she "does not sin" in her belief system. JR does not read the Holy Bible. Now we go to lunch every few months. I have been participating in Kaye Arthur's Precept Studies for several years. They are excellent. I recommend them to all. She is “glad it works for you”.

When we are together she throws in all her ideas about "creating our own reality" and was a fan of Oprah's “Secret” teaching. Her husband died a year ago. No change or seeking for more ... He never spoke about religion. His Mother was a Christian Scientist that died without healing from breast cancer when he was young. He rather blamed the church for her death. He was a good man ... unless he had a private relationship with Jesus , he will not be in Heaven. My prayers and attempts to interest them fell on deaf ears. It is sad to think this.

Praying for the right ingredients in regard to JR. They have two beautiful children with beautiful children, highly successful in their jobs and successful in their life and marriages, their children are ideal. Amazing.

“What if a man gains the whole world and loses his soul”

Luke 9:25