By David ReayFriday 14 Jan 2022LifeWords DevotionalsDevotionsReading Time: 2 minutes
“This is what the Lord of Heaven’s Armies says: In those days ten men from different nations and languages of the world will clutch at the sleeve of one Jew. And they will say, ‘Please let us walk with you, for we have heard that God is with you.’” (NLT)
It is a regrettable fact that Christians are “on the nose” in many quarters. Here we have a prophecy that describes something very different. Those who worship and obey God will have a sort of magnetic attraction about them. People from all over the place will want to associate with them because their lives give evidence of a good and gracious God.
The prophet who wrote this has earlier spoken of the need to practise mercy and justice. The magnetic attraction is not based on adherence to a set of doctrines but to a consistent way of life. Others know God is with them not just because of a pattern of belief, but because of the lives based on such belief.
How sad it is that the Christian church is just about the last place on earth that broken people turn to in time of need. How sad it is that instead of there being magnetic attraction there is a dismissal of the people of God as they are tainted with hypocrisy. Or in simple terms, we do not practise what we preach.
Magnetism does require a firm set of beliefs. It also requires a willingness to act on them. It is the latter that may lead to others embracing the former. How wonderful it would be if our local Christian communities were places to which others are attracted. We don’t just talk about God, we follow him. We become magnetic.
Blessings,
David