I believe we should not (and perhaps cannot) define ObeyGC² in an airtight fashion which will allow us to determine what is and isn’t ObeyGC² For starters, it just isn’t practical. We must rather give a general definition and then carefully enunciate the values and principles that will ideally characterize ObeyGC² The result will be a situation in which we are not dealing with the construct of ObeyGC² activities as a bounded set but rather as a centered set. The question at hand when planning and evaluating opportunities will not be, “Is this ObeyGC² or not?” but rather “How can we respond in a way that is as ObeyGC²-like as possible?” The values and principles can then be considered as benchmarks to shoot for. Arrows with a hash in the centered set diagram would be considered ObeyGC²-like because they would in general represent most of the values of ObeyGC² This is less alienating for “non-ObeyGC²” practitioners, leaving the door open for influence and interaction in order to make their activities as fruitful and effective as possible and continues to challenge ObeyGC² practitioners to improve and refine their work.

A partial list of ObeyGC² values would include: high-leverage, strategic, sustainable, reproducing, scaling, wholistic, efficient, coordinated, intentional, glorifying God, congregation-centric, addresses greatest needs, community-based, viralocity, training (not teaching), oral-friendly, love-motivated, prioritize least/last/lost, effective, local ownership, transferable, do no harm, listen and learn before acting, do and train, presence before projects, team-based, respects the church, involves every member, transformational, respects local community leaders, exit strategy if not in home community, etc. This is not an exhaustive list, but a representative list. I intend to write a blog entry on each of these values.

To summarize, the values of ObeyGC² are principles which should be used in order to ensure that our activities are as effective and as efficient as possible. This is a matter of stewardship of the time, energy and resources which God has given us.

Matt 25:19-21

19 “After a long time the master of those servants returned and settled accounts with them. 20 The man who had received the five talents brought the other five. ‘Master,’ he said, ‘you entrusted me with five talents. See, I have gained five more.’

21 “His master replied, ‘Well done, good and faithful servant! You have been faithful with a few things; I will put you in charge of many things. Come and share your master’s happiness!'”

ObeyGC²: Let’s build the world we’ve always wanted

While this doesn’t communicate the heart and soul of ObeyGC², it does provide some common ground with non-Christian partners with whom we may have the opportunity to work. We are quite clear on the fact that we’ll never see God’s will done on earth as it is in heaven until Christ’s return. That doesn’t excuse us, however, from the responsibility of being a force for preservation and good while we remain here. We do have a responsibility to work together with community and government leaders to carry out their God-given responsibilities. ObeyGC² is an avenue to do that.

Matt 5:13a

13 “You are the salt of the earth.

Col 4:5-6
5 Be wise in the way you act toward outsiders; make the most of every opportunity. 6 Let your conversation be always full of grace, seasoned with salt, so that you may know how to answer everyone.

Rom 13:1-10
13:1 Everyone must submit himself to the governing authorities, for there is no authority except that which God has established. The authorities that exist have been established by God. 2 Consequently, he who rebels against the authority is rebelling against what God has instituted, and those who do so will bring judgment on themselves. 3 For rulers hold no terror for those who do right, but for those who do wrong. Do you want to be free from fear of the one in authority? Then do what is right and he will commend you. 4 For he is God’s servant to do you good. But if you do wrong, be afraid, for he does not bear the sword for nothing. He is God’s servant, an agent of wrath to bring punishment on the wrongdoer. 5 Therefore, it is necessary to submit to the authorities, not only because of possible punishment but also because of conscience.

6 This is also why you pay taxes, for the authorities are God’s servants, who give their full time to governing. 7 Give everyone what you owe him: If you owe taxes, pay taxes; if revenue, then revenue; if respect, then respect; if honor, then honor.

8 Let no debt remain outstanding, except the continuing debt to love one another, for he who loves his fellowman has fulfilled the law. 9 The commandments, “Do not commit adultery,” “Do not murder,” “Do not steal,” “Do not covet,” and whatever other commandment there may be, are summed up in this one rule: “Love your neighbor as yourself.” 10 Love does no harm to its neighbor. Therefore love is the fulfillment of the law.

ObeyGC²: Activism with a purpose

We have an eternal reason for what we do. Whatever happens in our earthly lifetime is of little consequence compared with what happens in eternity. When Paul summarizes what the essentials of the gospel are, one of the few issues that he chooses to mention is the coming judgment. Since it is coming, and we need to be ready for it, that means we need to get busy getting ourselves and others prepared for it. Time is limited. The matter is urgent and important. It deserves all our attention and energy and resources.

1 Peter 1:13-17

13 Therefore, prepare your minds for action; be self-controlled; set your hope fully on the grace to be given you when Jesus Christ is revealed. 14 As obedient children, do not conform to the evil desires you had when you lived in ignorance. 15 But just as he who called you is holy, so be holy in all you do; 16 for it is written: “Be holy, because I am holy.”  17 Since you call on a Father who judges each man’s work impartially, live your lives as strangers here in reverent fear.

2 Peter 3:10-14

10 But the day of the Lord will come like a thief. The heavens will disappear with a roar; the elements will be destroyed by fire, and the earth and everything in it will be laid bare.  11 Since everything will be destroyed in this way, what kind of people ought you to be? You ought to live holy and godly lives 12 as you look forward to the day of God and speed its coming. That day will bring about the destruction of the heavens by fire, and the elements will melt in the heat. 13 But in keeping with his promise we are looking forward to a new heaven and a new earth, the home of righteousness.  14 So then, dear friends, since you are looking forward to this, make every effort to be found spotless, blameless and at peace with him.

James 2:14-18

14 What good is it, my brothers, if a man claims to have faith but has no deeds? Can such faith save him? 15 Suppose a brother or sister is without clothes and daily food. 16 If one of you says to him, “Go, I wish you well; keep warm and well fed,” but does nothing about his physical needs, what good is it? 17 In the same way, faith by itself, if it is not accompanied by action, is dead.  18 But someone will say, “You have faith; I have deeds.”  Show me your faith without deeds, and I will show you my faith by what I do.

2 Cor 4:16-18

16 Therefore we do not lose heart. Though outwardly we are wasting away, yet inwardly we are being renewed day by day. 17 For our light and momentary troubles are achieving for us an eternal glory that far outweighs them all. 18 So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen. For what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal.

ObeyGC²: Working out your faith

Most of us who seek to follow the Lord have figured out that it isn’t a one-time decision. We have to daily die to ourselves and follow Him. In fact, we must choose to obey moment by moment. It is this process which God uses to perfect us, molding us into the image of Christ and the process through which He uses us to accomplish His purposes in the world.

Luke 9:23-24

23 Then he said to them all: “If anyone would come after me, he must deny himself and take up his cross daily and follow me. 24 For whoever wants to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for me will save it.”

Phil 2:12-15

12 Therefore, my dear friends, as you have always obeyed-not only in my presence, but now much more in my absence-continue to work out your salvation with fear and trembling, 13 for it is God who works in you to will and to act according to his good purpose.

14 Do everything without complaining or arguing, 15 so that you may become blameless and pure, children of God without fault in a crooked and depraved generation, in which you shine like stars in the universe.

Eph 2:10
10 For we are God’s workmanship, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do.

Rom 8:29
29 For those God foreknew he also predestined to be conformed to the likeness of his Son, that he might be the firstborn among many brothers.

ObeyGC²: Ordinary radicals working together

Ironically, ObeyGC² will probably be most effective when obviously unremarkable people practice it. It will then be obvious that it is God who is responsible for anything of value which is accomplished. The other obvious testimony to this fact will be if we work together in unity as Jesus prayed we would. I love the illustration of a turtle on a fencepost. If you are ever walking along and see a turtle on a fencepost, you don’t say, “Wow! What an amazing turtle!” Instead you start looking around to see who put the turtle on the fencepost.

1 Cor 1:26-31

26 Brothers, think of what you were when you were called. Not many of you were wise by human standards; not many were influential; not many were of noble birth. 27 But God chose the foolish things of the world to shame the wise; God chose the weak things of the world to shame the strong. 28 He chose the lowly things of this world and the despised things-and the things that are not-to nullify the things that are, 29 so that no one may boast before him. 30 It is because of him that you are in Christ Jesus, who has become for us wisdom from God-that is, our righteousness, holiness and redemption. 31 Therefore, as it is written: “Let him who boasts boast in the Lord.”

John 17:20-23
20 “My prayer is not for them alone. I pray also for those who will believe in me through their message, 21 that all of them may be one, Father, just as you are in me and I am in you. May they also be in us so that the world may believe that you have sent me. 22 I have given them the glory that you gave me, that they may be one as we are one: 23 I in them and you in me. May they be brought to complete unity to let the world know that you sent me and have loved them even as you have loved me.”

ObeyGC²: Make a difference together

This tagline emphasizes the cooperative nature of ObeyGC² It is the power of working together which makes it so potentially impactful. Not only can we work together with others in the church, but also, when agendas coincide, we can work with public (government) and private (NGO, business, parachurch) enterprise in a show of support for values we share. I’ve addressed the issue of cooperative effort within the church in previous entries. Now I’d like to propose some guidelines for cooperative effort outside the church.

1. ObeyGC² does not need to be redefined in order for collaborative efforts to occur. It already provides a framework for collaboration. Often practical quality of life issues are of common interest among public, private and church sectors. The task is to discover where the legitimate concerns of each sector overlap and focus the collaboration on that area of overlap. Each sector has its own unique and God-given area of responsibility and concern and each sector will already recognize many of its own particular distinctive spheres of influence. What must be redefined is the perception of the role and spirit of the church in working with the public and private sectors on common areas of concern.
2. When communicating to congregations (or individual Christians) we need to point out that it is an effectiveness and stewardship matter that they collaborate with public and private sectors whenever it is possible or feasible.
   1. This will often mean that congregations must initiate the relationship.
   2. This also means that congregations should be responsive to overtures from the private and public sector when appropriate.
3. Suggestions for parameters of collaborative efforts:
   1. Ask about felt-need issues felt by the potential partner(s). These issues will often be easiest to collaborate on if they are framed in terms of people or how people are affected.
   2. Present the role of the congregation as that of a servant.
   3. Jointly discuss possible contributions by each of the current and potential partners, with each party focusing on its own potential areas of contribution.
4. Whenever possible, seek to break down or minimize “us/them” references by recognizing and capitalizing on overlaps in constituency. (We are part of them and they are part of us. E.g., some of our members may be in local government and some of the local government officials may be members of our congregation.)
5. Seek to make the first step an event or project of very limited duration. Follow this up with discussions on possible next steps and/or longer term collaborative efforts. This will provide all parties with a comfortable escape clause and help to identify individuals within each of the partner groups which might be open to ongoing efforts related to the issue.

Rom 12:17b-18
Be careful to do what is right in the eyes of everybody. 18 If it is possible, as far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone.

ObeyGC²: Glorifying God by serving others

Since all of history and life finds its purpose in bringing glory to God, it seems as if we might want to pay attention to how we might do this. It turns out that one way to bring glory to God from others is to show forth a life of service and good deeds. We don’t live a life of service to others for what we can get out of it but for what God can get out of it.

Matt 5:13-16

13 “You are the salt of the earth. But if the salt loses its saltiness, how can it be made salty again? It is no longer good for anything, except to be thrown out and trampled by men.

14 “You are the light of the world. A city on a hill cannot be hidden. 15 Neither do people light a lamp and put it under a bowl. Instead they put it on its stand, and it gives light to everyone in the house. 16 In the same way, let your light shine before men, that they may see your good deeds and praise your Father in heaven.

1 Peter 2:12-17
12 Live such good lives among the pagans that, though they accuse you of doing wrong, they may see your good deeds and glorify God on the day he visits us.

13 Submit yourselves for the Lord’s sake to every authority instituted among men: whether to the king, as the supreme authority, 14 or to governors, who are sent by him to punish those who do wrong and to commend those who do right. 15 For it is God’s will that by doing good you should silence the ignorant talk of foolish men. 16 Live as free men, but do not use your freedom as a cover-up for evil; live as servants of God. 17 Show proper respect to everyone: Love the brotherhood of believers, fear God, honor the king.

ObeyGC²: Loving God by loving others

One of the main ways to demonstrate emphasis in Hebrew culture and writings was through repetition. Jesus clearly had some things He wanted to emphasize because He was fairly repetitious on some subjects. One of these subjects was that love is directly tied to obedience. Specifically, our love for Him is intimately related to our obedience of Him. He was also extremely clear in stating that a primary command He intended for us to obey was that we love others and show it in practical ways. This is a great way to summarize what ObeyGC² is all about.

John 14:15

15 “If you love me, you will obey what I command.”

John 14:23-24

23 Jesus replied, “If anyone loves me, he will obey my teaching. My Father will love him, and we will come to him and make our home with him. 24 He who does not love me will not obey my teaching. These words you hear are not my own; they belong to the Father who sent me.”

John 15:9-13

9 “As the Father has loved me, so have I loved you. Now remain in my love. 10 If you obey my commands, you will remain in my love, just as I have obeyed my Father’s commands and remain in his love. 11 I have told you this so that my joy may be in you and that your joy may be complete. 12 My command is this: Love each other as I have loved you. 13 Greater love has no one than this, that he lay down his life for his friends.”

1 John 5:1-3
5:1 Everyone who believes that Jesus is the Christ is born of God, and everyone who loves the father loves his child as well. 2 This is how we know that we love the children of God: by loving God and carrying out his commands. 3 This is love for God: to obey his commands. And his commands are not burdensome.

1 John 2:3-6, 9-11
3 We know that we have come to know him if we obey his commands. 4 The man who says, “I know him,” but does not do what he commands is a liar, and the truth is not in him. 5 But if anyone obeys his word, God’s love is truly made complete in him. This is how we know we are in him: 6 Whoever claims to live in him must walk as Jesus did.

9 Anyone who claims to be in the light but hates his brother is still in the darkness. 10 Whoever loves his brother lives in the light, and there is nothing in him to make him stumble. 11 But whoever hates his brother is in the darkness and walks around in the darkness; he does not know where he is going, because the darkness has blinded him.

2 John 4b-6
5 I am not writing you a new command but one we have had from the beginning. I ask that we love one another. 6 And this is love: that we walk in obedience to his commands. As you have heard from the beginning, his command is that you walk in love.

ObeyGC²: Thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven

This of course is one of the opening lines to the Lord’s Prayer, also known as the Model Prayer. It says in familiar King James Version, “Our Father which art in heaven, Hallowed be thy name. Thy kingdom come. Thy will be done in earth, as it is in heaven.” (Matthew 6:9a-10). This, of course, is the bottom line for all of us who claim the Lord as our King. This motive of loving service to our Savior and Lord is the reason behind our obedience to His desires and commands. That is the reason for ObeyGC² The Kingdom of God is where His will is done. We express the Kingdom whenever we do His will. Until the final day when Christ returns in glory to establish His eternal Kingdom, when every knee will bow to Him, we must do what we can to make sure as many as possible bow in loving obedience rather than as vanquished foes. ObeyGC² is one way for us to accomplish that end.

Phil 2:9-11
Therefore God exalted him to the highest place
and gave him the name that is above every name,
10 that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow,
in heaven and on earth and under the earth,
11 and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord,
to the glory of God the Father.

ObeyGC²: Contagious improvement

If we are going to make things better, it will take all of us practicing what we preach. Nobody wants to emulate dry hypocrisy. I’m far more likely to buy something from someone if they are a user of the product themselves and are a raving fan. This means we must do ObeyGC² and train others to do it and train still others. This sort of a virtuous cycle creates a contagious movement…the sort of movement that can change the world!

Matt 5:19
19 Anyone who breaks one of the least of these commandments and teaches others to do the same will be called least in the kingdom of heaven, but whoever practices and teaches these commands will be called great in the kingdom of heaven.

Ex 18:20
20 Teach them the decrees and laws, and show them the way to live and the duties they are to perform.

Ezra 7:9-10
The good hand of his God was upon him. 10 For Ezra had set his heart to study the law of the LORD and to practice it, and to teach His statutes and ordinances in Israel.