I was preparing for Thursdays service at Lota House and thinking about a number of conversations I have had about church attendance and faith in general.

Reflecting on Mark 3:7-12, I observed three distinct groups of individuals…

a. The disciples of Jesus – Committed to Jesus

b. The great multitude – The Curious

c. The unclean spirits – The Condemned

It occurred to me that these three distinct groups correspond to Three Responses to Jesus, and that everyone responds to Jesus in one of three ways.

THE COMMITTED…  Would include those who make up the Lord’s church, who heed Jesus’ call to discipleship – Who offer their energy and resources to the spread of Christ’s kingdom by developing a Christ-like character and developing a Christ-like service.

THE CURIOUS… Would include those who may visit churches, even regularly, but they never fully commit themselves. Perhaps they attend just to appease their conscience but they never obey the gospel – they just put it off. Hopefully, one who is curious will eventually take the step to follow Jesus completely.

And, finally, there are those whose response to Jesus is entirely negative, whom we can categorize as… THE CONDEMNED, or LOST … This group would include those who persist in sin and refuse to repent – Who often think lightly of sin, and mock those trying to do good – Yet they will one day have to answer, even confess Jesus.

God does not force us into faith. Each of us is called to respond… the choice is ours. If someone refuses your invitation to “come and see Jesus” remember… it is not you but our Lord Jesus who they are rejecting!

Blessings

Rev Shan