A Pattern for Christian Behavior (3)

It seems like something we shouldn’t have to say, but it’s an important part of the pattern for any Christian undertaking – whether in the sciences or any field of endeavor: We have to show up ready to work together. God is seeking to bring His glory into every area of life – all cultural and social arenas, every relationship, role, and responsibility. And He intends to accomplish this grand objective and further His Kingdom on earth as it is in heaven through us, His people. He has positioned us in Jesus Christ, with the hope of glory and the ability to know God in His glory, so that we might glorify Him and advance His Kingdom in everything we do.

But we must prepare carefully and work to establish a Kingdom presence at every stage of our endeavor, whatever it may be.

Christians prepare to seek the Kingdom of God through personal and professional study and education. From our study of God’s Word, research into the applications of that Word into our fields of endeavor, and conversations with believing colleagues, we should be identifying Kingdom objectives that will allow us to make progress toward the Kingdom outcomes we seek in all our undertakings for the Lord. Having specific Kingdom objectives for each activity in our work will enable us to achieve real collaboration and make meaningful progress together, thus bringing the glory of God to light through our efforts. At the same time, it will help to minimize any conflicts which may arise, since we’re working together toward agreed-upon short-term objectives consonant with the long-range Kingdom outcomes we seek.

This is as true for working in the various fields of the sciences as it is for any other calling in the Kingdom of God. We have to show up in order to contribute; but we need to show up ready to contribute from within our Kingdom framework and for the advancement of that framework, step by step, day by day. Otherwise our presence will do nothing more than contribute to non-Kingdom, worldly objectives, resulting in scandal.

So we add to our diagram as follows:

Christian education – like this website – gives us an opportunity to prepare for glorifying God. But only if we actually go forth, into every arena of our lives, determined to show the glory of God by what we say and do, only then will we actually show up and establish a presence of glory in our particular fields of endeavor. Like Israel, bringing the banners and presence of God into the land of Canaan, our efforts to make Christ known – in all His goodness, mercy, wisdom, kindness, and saving might – will not always be welcomed. But God has called us both to prepare and to show up, ready for the struggle, determined to shine the light of Christ and His glory into every area of our lives, incrementally and consistently in all we do.