Depending on who you are talking to you would probably get a different response, however it is fair to say that both past and present cultures have placed a great value on names.
In the Hebrew world a name didn’t just identify you it defined you. In our current Western culture we have seen a rising trend called branding. Basically, people hope that when you say the name of their product, church, company, etc…it will evoke a myriad of positive images that will cause you to do something. Something like buying a cup of coffee or referring that product to someone else.
Many of you have asked why did you name this blog, “outside the gate”. Here is the answer. My hope is to jump on the bandwagon we just spoke about. I hope that as you interact with this blog, as you hear its name, that it will evoke an image in your heart that will cause you to act. Act on what you might ask? Act on the greatest responsibility mankind was ever given. To bring the love, grace, and forgiveness of Jesus to our communities and world through our words and deeds.
Outside the Gate speaks of the place where many people find themselves in relation to our God and churches. Often times there seems to be a great disconnect between the two.
Jesus calls all people in all conditions to come to Him, but many expressions of Western Christianity do not. Therefore, people who are far from God stay far from Him. Why? Because we have abandoned the words of Jesus and have become comfortable living inside the gate.
This blog is a call to all peoples, especially those who are in Christ to reconsider where they stand in light of Jesus’ Mission to redeem all things to himself.
So what do you think?
outside the gate 