Remembering or Knowing

    We have many things that we are reminded to remember for some reason or another. “Remember the Alamo” reminds us of the slaughter that occurred in San Antonio, Texas where a great number of people lost their lives. We are told to remember September 11th for the vicious attack that took many more lives. We remember December 7th 1941 for the attack on Pearl Harbor that caused America’s entrance into WWII. Each one of these have a couple things in common. The first thing is that each have a memorial set up to look upon and remember. The second: there are  advertisements specifically around the time the event took place which entice people to travel hundreds if not thousands of miles to see a tangible, material object which triggers an emotional response. With all the celebratory events surrounding these remembrances there is one other thing they have in common: they all need to be seen to cause the deeper remembrance.
     There is only one time in history which involves the death of one person where we do not have to see to believe, For we walk by faith, not by sight (2 Corinthians 5:7). He commands an action which goes beyond our senses. When He said, “Do this in Remembrance of Me” as He shared His last meal in fellowship, which is known to us as the Last Supper of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. But it goes deeper than just bread and a cup of wine or juice.
     The Jewish celebration of the Passover Feast is done in remembrance of their deliverance from slavery in Egypt which was done in accordance to the Will of God. This is a wonderful event as they await for the return of Elijah who will usher in the time of the Messiah. The oral history is complimented with a meal which is spiritual in nature. Meanwhile, the celebration of the end of slavery from sin is to be an everyday event that requires a small meal when like-minded spiritual people are gathered together. But it does not end there. Man has set up great features of stone, glass, and metal to honor the people who lost their lives for a cause. Whereas our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ’s memorial is in our spirit, flesh, and blood.
All this to pose this question: If people will travel hundreds of miles to see a material things which causes an emotional response, why can’t we get them to go down a block or even ten miles to refresh and renew their spirit and save their souls?
1.  People are afraid of being judged and convicted by the flesh without realizing their conviction lies within their own hearts.
2.  They feel that Christians believe they are above everyone else.
3.  They see the church as being filled with hypocrites.
4.  They see Christianity as a cult, not a fellowship or community of believers.
 
     It is difficult to comprehend but at the same time easy to see why people would rather remember something that does not permanently impact their lives. People see Christ in others every day and can feel the tug but are afraid to come alone. They fear the unknown: will they be greeted or treated like an outcast; looked upon with disgust or smiled at; will they be chastised for their looks to include their ethnicity and clothing? These are happening in every church. This unchristian like behavior must stop if we are to further the Kingdom of God here on earth.    
 
        So how do we change this?? BE INVITING. You have neighbors who wish someone would invite them to church. We are commanded to do this through the Great Commission. We need to be in Christ not just believe: Showing and sharing the Gospel, living to attain a Christ-like life through conducting ourselves in a manner pleasing to God. We need to Express the joy of knowing Christ as Savior and Lord and how we have been changed just as the Apostles did when Jesus sent them forth. We need to show that  making the commitment to Christ on a spiritual level is deeper than the relationship between friends, coworkers, family. It is truly the only life-long commitment that has eternal consequences. This is only the beginning as we are limited by our flesh. The rest is up to the Holy Spirit guiding us to help guide others.
Remember God’s Word and act upon it… hard to forget if we truly have it engrained in our hearts and lives.
Be blessed in your walk with Jesus brothers and sisters. Amen.