REFLECTIONS FROM ▶ GREG'S MESSAGE ON 8/18/24
In today’s world, the words "contagious" and "Christian" don’t often find themselves in the same sentence. Yet, isn’t it interesting to think that our faith could be so vibrant, so alive, that it’s actually contagious? The idea is to live in a way that others can’t help but notice—where they’re drawn in, not by what we say, but by how we live.
Take a moment to reflect: Is your faith something others catch by being around you, or is it just something you talk about?
Is Your Faith Contagious or Just Informative?
The contagious Christian life means more than just sharing your beliefs. It’s about sharing your life—your stories, your struggles, your victories. It’s about being real and vulnerable, letting others see the transformation Jesus is working in you.
When people encounter someone whose life has been genuinely transformed by Jesus, they’re drawn in. There’s a magnetism, a wild freedom, that speaks louder than words ever could. It’s this kind of freedom—freedom from what holds us captive, freedom to be who we were created to be—that others find contagious.
Believing vs. Living: What’s the Difference?
Many people grow up in churches where faith is about believing the right things and behaving the right way. These environments focus on correct beliefs and behaviors, but sometimes lack life, joy, and freedom. It's not contagious—it's stifling.
Consider this: Are you living forgiven but not free? Has your faith become a set of rules rather than a source of joy and transformation?
Jesus didn’t come just to forgive us—though that’s important. He came to set us free. Free from the chains that bind us, free from the fears that hold us back, free to live fully in the purpose He created us for. And this freedom is what should make our faith contagious.
What does it look like to live your faith in a way that’s contagious?
Living Your Faith in a Contagious Way
Living contagiously means understanding that the journey of following Jesus is not a linear process. There’s no five-step plan to become a "super Christian." Instead, it’s organic. It’s about pursuing Jesus every day, letting His Spirit transform you into His likeness.
In Luke 4, Jesus declares that He came to bring good news to the poor, freedom for the captives, sight for the blind, and to set the oppressed free. This mission is the essence of contagious Christian living. It’s about embracing the full scope of what Jesus came to do—not just for someday, but for our lives right here and now.
Think about your life right now. Are you living in the freedom Jesus offers, or are you still captive to old habits, fears, or doubts?
Are You Living in Freedom?
Often the people who have most influenced our lives aren’t just knowledgeable or theologically sound—they have found a "wild freedom" in their life with Jesus that is undeniably contagious. This kind of freedom draws others in, making them want to know more about what they have and what may be missing in their own lives.
Taking the Next Step
To live a contagious Christian life, it’s important to continue growing in the freedom Jesus offers. This might mean joining a group that helps you explore what it means to be free in Christ, such as a Wild at Heart or Captivating. Or it might mean diving deeper into your own story, understanding how Jesus is rescuing you every day.
Remember, a limited understanding of Jesus limits your ability to walk in freedom—and to share that freedom with others. The world needs who you were created to be, fully alive and fully free in Christ.
As you go about your day, ask yourself: How can I live my faith in a way that’s more contagious? How can I share my life and my story in a way that draws others to the freedom found in Jesus?
Let’s make our faith something that others want to catch—not through our words alone, but through the way we live every single day.
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