Limiting Orthopraxy
Posted: Thu Apr 20, 2017 10:41 pm
It was mentioned elsewhere that we should be encouraging one another in our orthopraxy. Some see orthopraxy as basically what they abstain from doing that is worldly. But Jesus was also very keen on good deeds.
What are some practical things we can get involved in to shine our lights so the world will see our good deeds and will give God glory for how He is working in us ? We have to get past what may appear to be making ourselves look better at this than the next believer and share what we have experienced in this area. For me, that, sadly, will not be an issue.
What I mean by the title is - do you restrict yourself to primarily focus on your own personal holiness and/or only good deeds if it is somehow identified with your church or an organization like MCC ?
For instance, one of my few good deeds , is delivering hot, free meals to the needy in our city. One hour for the last 3 Thursdays. Although local churches provided some of the volunteers for this, it is not church related. It is one of many volunteer services the city provides. Here are a list of volunteer activities one can participate in -
- Adult Day Program Assistant
- Child Minder
- Coats for Kids Distribution Assistant
- Friendly Visitor
- Security Check Caller
- Event Volunteer
- Income Tax Clinic Volunteer
- Meals on Wheels Delivery Person
- Foot Care Clinic Receptionist
- SPARK After School Program Assistant
- Translator/Interpreter
- Volunteer Tutor
- Volunteer Mentor
- Youth Mentor
One can volunteer and be quickly trained to get involved. Where I see one of these the most is the friendly visitors at our local hospital to welcome and guide folks to where they need to go. Another very needful one is driving people to doctor's appointments. Many in our city have appointments 30 miles away in a bigger city. And these can take up many hours to drive and wait.
These kind of good deeds get a Christian exposed more to the world and relationships are often made for later spiritual conversations.
Since Anabaptists believe that orthopraxy is very important in being a Christ follower, would you share the kind of areas you get involved in as an unpaid volunteer. This may help those who need a little push in the area of good deeds. Jesus said this is how we shine our lights. Before men not hidden.
What are some practical things we can get involved in to shine our lights so the world will see our good deeds and will give God glory for how He is working in us ? We have to get past what may appear to be making ourselves look better at this than the next believer and share what we have experienced in this area. For me, that, sadly, will not be an issue.
What I mean by the title is - do you restrict yourself to primarily focus on your own personal holiness and/or only good deeds if it is somehow identified with your church or an organization like MCC ?
For instance, one of my few good deeds , is delivering hot, free meals to the needy in our city. One hour for the last 3 Thursdays. Although local churches provided some of the volunteers for this, it is not church related. It is one of many volunteer services the city provides. Here are a list of volunteer activities one can participate in -
- Adult Day Program Assistant
- Child Minder
- Coats for Kids Distribution Assistant
- Friendly Visitor
- Security Check Caller
- Event Volunteer
- Income Tax Clinic Volunteer
- Meals on Wheels Delivery Person
- Foot Care Clinic Receptionist
- SPARK After School Program Assistant
- Translator/Interpreter
- Volunteer Tutor
- Volunteer Mentor
- Youth Mentor
One can volunteer and be quickly trained to get involved. Where I see one of these the most is the friendly visitors at our local hospital to welcome and guide folks to where they need to go. Another very needful one is driving people to doctor's appointments. Many in our city have appointments 30 miles away in a bigger city. And these can take up many hours to drive and wait.
These kind of good deeds get a Christian exposed more to the world and relationships are often made for later spiritual conversations.
Since Anabaptists believe that orthopraxy is very important in being a Christ follower, would you share the kind of areas you get involved in as an unpaid volunteer. This may help those who need a little push in the area of good deeds. Jesus said this is how we shine our lights. Before men not hidden.