Yesterday was a first. I got to be a dentist in the Philippines. After some training and observation, I was able to inject lidocaine and extract 14 teeth from several patients. You may ask why. That’s because we were there to be doers of the word. We were there to care for the poor (in this case tending to their teeth). The team also did cleaning, restorations and even made some partial dentures right there on the spot. Part of this process was fixing teeth but part was talking about the grace of Jesus Christ as well.
Most people here believe in Jesus but are also in bondage to a works based faith. The concept of a free gift of grace is new to most of them. This battle between works and grace is something that is difficult for many to grasp. It’s a concept that James was addressing in his book in the Bible. “But be doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving yourselves.” (1 James:22)
You see our salvation is a free gift, but not one we are to squander. We are still called to do works. The difference is we do not do these works as a way to earn our salvation. Instead we do them as a way to show His love to the world. Doing good works does meet needs, like pulling bad teeth. And if that is all we did was pull and fix teeth, that would still be good works. But Global Surge doesn’t stop there. To them, these good works are not only to meet a physical need but more importantly to reach an eternal need.
Once someone makes a profession of faith, they are connected to a local small group to connect with and eventually placed into a discipleship role with a more mature believer. Their system is focused on using the idea of meeting a need to draw them into a relationship with Christ. But then connecting them with a community of believers to help them grow in Christ. What an awesome discipleship process.
I pray that you appreciate my blogs. They are my way of journaling as I read His word. If you do like them, please be sure to click the Follow Hisfamily Ministries button in the top right corner AND to spread the word. Share these posts with others and perhaps they will be blessed too.
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