As my holiday vacation comes to a close, let me leave you with this thought about sheep, goats, legalism, gracism …. and Mister Rogers’ Neighborhood.
Exiled to our bedroom last night while our son had a New Year’s Eve party with his friends, Lori and I watched a documentary about Mister Rogers.
Fred Rogers was an ordained minister and was a man of deep faith. Aside from many testimonies, one just needs to look at the fruit of his own television ministry to know that.
Yet, as Fred Rogers took ill and neared the end of his life, he asked his wife if she thought he was a sheep or goat.
Think about that. Despite persecution, protest, and hate …
Fred Rogers shaped the hearts of millions of children; spoke to kids about difficult subjects like racism, wars, divorce, assassination, rejection, sadness, shame, and anger; infused identity into lost little ones; and everything he said, lived, and did was rooted and grounded in love (143).
He greatly shaped a broken generation, and this neighborhood NOW needs men and women to rise up like Fred Rogers.
Yet, Fred Rogers didn’t know if he was a sheep or goat. Seems as a minister he never learned his own identity in Christ, first.
If this could happen to a man so in love with Jesus, and to one where massive lines and crowds formed just to see him … then imagine how this can happen to those who don’t “see” their personal influence within the lives of others.
This is why teaching on our identity in Christ is so very important, and this is why understanding ancient covenant is so critical to grasp.
Yet. The false teaching of legalism and gracism are snares to His peace and fruit. One makes you work to be a sheep, and the other in great apathy denies there are even goats.
Sadly. At least legalism builds kingdom and leaves a legacy of love in Christ.
But ….
- It’s not about works.
- It’s not about reach.
- It’s not about self.
- It’s not about numbers.
It’s about faith working itself through love.
Yes. It's about the small things. Yes. It’s about our legacy in Christ living within the hearts of those God entrusts to us, one at a time.
Then the righteous will answer him, saying, ‘Lord, when did we see you hungry and feed you, or thirsty and give you drink? And when did we see you sick or in prison and visit you?’ And when did we see you a stranger and welcome you, or naked and clothe you? And the King will answer them, ‘Truly, I say to you, as you did it to one of the least of these my brothers, you did it to me.’ Matthew 25:37-40
Mister Rogers was not only a sheep, he was a giant of the faith.