Advance the Cause

My best friend was sharing with me something her pastor said in his sermon. He told his congregation that Jesus said 'I trust you to advance the cause'. Wow. I really had to think about it for a second when she told me. I've actually been thinking about it all day since I heard it. Isn't it so true, though? Isn't that the entire purpose of our existence? I mean I know we have other responsibilities and things God desires for us to accomplish, but our main goal and focus in life should be to simply 'advance the cause'. I feel like as Christians we so often miss the boat of our purpose. We lose sight of the fact that we are commanded to reach the lost... we do have a mission field. We get so caught up in the 'this church does this, this church does that' or arguing about doctorinal issues, and we make it much more difficult than we have to. Jesus has entrusted us with so much... He has put the responsibility in our hands with the hope and trust that we will carry it out. We have the knowledge and understanding of something so powerful yet so simple at the same time. It's the message of grace. Our cause for living and our reason for getting up in the morning. It's a simple message of a Savior's love. A love so deep that would put an innocent man on the cross for our sins... that he would bear the weight of the entire world and die a painful death. Only to be buried and by God's miraculous power, be raised from the dead 3 days later and give us the eternal hope for a life lived in redeeming love and conquering grace. It's more than a bedtime story or a good fable. It was real and it happened and it should make us live our lives differently. We should be forever changed because of it and stop living like it doesn't make a difference. You see... it's not about what church is wrong for singing this or not singing that... it's not about the debate of who's right or who's wrong. It's a simple matter of being trusted with a truth so great it can change lives. Life is simply about advancing that truth... the truth that is the cause of everything we do and everything we are... a truth and a cause worth dying for. For to whom much is given, much will be required. You have been entrusted with something great... I trust you will advance the cause... are you ready?