God wants to lighten the load of your theology.  Some of you are carrying too much non-essential theological baggage.  This load of excess baggage will inhibit you from moving forward at the speed and flexibility required to navigate this current season of rapid cultural change.

I have visited close to 50 countries.  That amount of repeated travel taught me how to pack my bags. When I first began to travel, I packed way too much.  The first real trip Jan​ and I took together was comical.  We had planned to be gone for only 4 nights to a conference.  We packed so much luggage you would need an Olympic weight-lifter to help carry all our suitcases. Today when I travel, I can do an entire week with one small carry on bag.  This single piece of luggage has enabled me to connect with tight flight schedules without ever worrying about my luggage.  It keeps me light and mobile and available for any unexpected changes in my travel schedule.

I often wondered what Paul meant when he said, “For I resolved to know nothing while I was with you except Jesus Christ and him crucified.” (I Corinthians 2:2)  I think I now understand what Paul meant. He was able to deal with a variety of people and belief systems because he kept his theological baggage light and mobile by focusing on Jesus alone.  This is where we find the Church in the current cultural climate.  The itinerary God has planned for the Church will not allow us to travel with the excess theological baggage of our past.  We will need to leave behind some of the non-essentials of our faith in order to move forward.  Our journey of faith started out as Jesus-plus-nothing and it will end in the same way.  Be wise in what you pack for the coming journey.

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