Many of my thoughts and posts over the past few weeks have been related to the tension between being faithful to the message of Gospel, but also communicating that message in a way that those outside the Church will recieve, love and obey the Word of God.

Ultimately, it doesn't matter if we think we care about other people. Our actions speak louder than our words. What matters is if they think we care about them. That's how we know if we are communicating effectively.

There are two lines of communication we need to always have open: we need to stay in touch with God, and we need to stay in touch with those who need the Gospel. It can be easy to get out-of-touch with one side or the other, or both. But if we keep these lines open, we can become an effective tool in the hand of God.

1. Our number one priority should be to not become out of touch with the Lord, and His heart and truth. Jude verse 23 warns: "Rescue others by snatching them from the flames of judgment. Show mercy to still others, but do so with great caution, hating the sins that contaminate their lives."

We must recognize our own ability to justify sin, and lose sight of God. If we hang around sinful people, we will be affected, and we must be careful to guard our own walk with Christ as the precious treasure above all. 

We stay in touch with the Lord, by actually having a relationship with Him through prayer and His Word. It is way too easy to talk about faith, to talk about the church, but to not actually be engaging in the life-giving relationship with God we desperately need. Guard this line of communication with God above all in your life. Stay in touch; stay in tune with the Spirit of God. Don't grow cold.

2. We must also guard ourselves from becoming out of touch with non-Christians. If we do this, we will grow ineffective, and the Kingdom of God will not advance through our lives. We should pray for them, we should spend quality time with them, we should listen to them, we should care for them and truly love them from our hearts.

So, how are you doing? Are you out of touch?