The church I grew up in was pretty safe. I say safe because I don't remember a lot of controversy happening. Maybe that's because I was 8, I don't know.
But God doesn't call us to --- 'Let's just try to keep everybody happy --- let's never talk about or do anything that riles people up --- it's how we've always done it --- let's not attempt anything different or be aggressive with our mission.'
Just the opposite. If we want to be like the church in the book of Acts, we'll be radically different. We'll invest our time in different places -- we'll invest our money in different ways -- we'll raise our children differently -- we'll respond to the Word and to the world differently.
There's something more important than you living a safe, civilized life -- because our culture has made security into a god. And if that's where you are, not only are you missing God's best life for you, you're also living a version of Christianity that, frankly, Jesus would know nothing about.
You wouldn't say it this way, but you may very well be flat-out bored with life -- and bored with Jesus. But there's also a craving inside you, and that's where Jesus is probing -- that if you'll take a risk to trust this unexpected Jesus and obey His risky Book, there's a great payoff to that.
You'll never regret it.
And be blessed.
But God doesn't call us to --- 'Let's just try to keep everybody happy --- let's never talk about or do anything that riles people up --- it's how we've always done it --- let's not attempt anything different or be aggressive with our mission.'
'Let's not attempt anything different or be aggressive with our mission ... '
Just the opposite. If we want to be like the church in the book of Acts, we'll be radically different. We'll invest our time in different places -- we'll invest our money in different ways -- we'll raise our children differently -- we'll respond to the Word and to the world differently.
There's something more important than you living a safe, civilized life -- because our culture has made security into a god. And if that's where you are, not only are you missing God's best life for you, you're also living a version of Christianity that, frankly, Jesus would know nothing about.
You wouldn't say it this way, but you may very well be flat-out bored with life -- and bored with Jesus. But there's also a craving inside you, and that's where Jesus is probing -- that if you'll take a risk to trust this unexpected Jesus and obey His risky Book, there's a great payoff to that.
You'll never regret it.
And be blessed.
8 comments:
Well said, PK. We have to be different to do something different.
Well said, PK. We have to be different to do something different.
I think that you are a visionary in the way you have had a pulse on the current society without diluting the message of the Bible. I think that is so important so that unbelievers don't feel as if they don't belong in "the club." I think that the church as it used to be alienates people who are seeking God.
I have thoughts that may be very controversial in the church, as well. Not sure if I dare to share them, but I will.
I think that many Evangelical Christians have broken down God's will to two main themes...gay marriage and abortion when it comes to society and in politics. Let me say right off the bat...I am pro-life. I am also in favor of gay marriage. I have seen polls that suggest that many younger Christians feel the same way.
At any rate, I know that that it is Biblical to oppose both issues. But Jesus made reference to helping the poor in the New Testament more than any other issue. Jesus said:
"The King will reply, 'Truly I tell you, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me.'
This has always been an overriding issue with me. My heart goes out to those in our wealthy country who are struggling...as well as around the globe. In these times there are more people suffering, too.
I have recently come across Reverend Jim Wallis. He has written a book called "On God's Side". Not is God on OUR side, but are WE on God's side? I know many people think that it is the church that should help those suffering and I do, too. But I don't think it is enough. There are too many of them. I think we "as a society" have a moral obligation to help the poor as Jesus so often said. Not just the church, but in all areas.
I think that abortion and gay marriage are very important and Biblical. I just think that Jesus would be equally concerned about the least among us.
I would love to hear others thoughts.
I agree that many Evangelicals have basically broken their voting bloc decisions into these two issues. I understand how a person can be pro-life on one hand but in favor of gay marriage on the other. That said, I don't understand how a Bible believing Christian can say the same thing. It makes no sense to me.
This is separate from the matter of how one might vote because I agree that some people base voting decisions on a narrow set of issues while others base them on a wider variety of issues. But for a Christ-follower to agree it is Biblical to oppose gay marriage, yet say they are personally in favor of it - whether or not many young Christians may feel that way - is incongruous to me.
The reason many young believers feel this way is that the church has pulled itself out of society to form its own culture and has abdicated its role of being in the world to influence it and has opted instead to form its own separate society where it has insulated itself. The result is that the world went on with its business while the insulated church kept cloistered, all the while enjoying its values.
I don't believe the Scriptures you quote have anything whatever to do with the gay marriage issue. Gay folks are not 'poor in need of help.' nor are they one of the 'least of these.' Jesus is speaking to a whole different problem when He says those words. It's very dangerous to apply Scripture where Scripture cannot possibly apply. That will lead us into all kinds of problems in our belief system -- ergo -- 'I know the Bible opposes it, but I'm personally in favor of gay marriage.'
How important it is that we hold fast to Biblical values, irrespective of how society might be leaning, while at the same time not removing ourselves from the culture.
Blessings.
Sorry, I think I may not have worded my quote well. I didn't mean Gays are poor or the least of us. I was talking about actual poor people...those out of work, those who are hungry, the homeless...that sort of thing. Sorry for the confusion.
I do believe in God, Jesus and the Bible...I just think that every single person is equal and should have the same right to marry the one they love. I have several friends and one family member who are gay. Knowing them has shaped some of my thoughts although I still believe in equality. I liken it to civil rights, women and blacks right to vote...interracial marriage...those types of issues. Rev. Jim Wallis made a good point. The Christian Community are the ones who fought for these rights.
Many of these instances are contrary to what the Bible teaches. Of course I don't think Jesus said these things. I'm not sure. Did Jesus address same-sex relationships or was that also an Old Testament issue? I'm not sure about that.
Oh. Gotcha. That helps explain it. I may have read into it wrong. No problem.
Again - it isn't my intention to be argumentative -- when we say we love and believe God, Jesus and the Bible, then go on to say what we THINK and what we THINK is contrary to what the Bible says, that has to be a problem for us.
Our experiences do not shape our theology or our belief system. God's Word does that for us. Nothing else.
All the issues of the 60s, for instance, that you bring up -- equal rights for blacks and women -- no slavery -- all those things are directly spoken to in the BIble. That two men (or women) should marry simply because they're in love is an issue the Bible also deals with directly, both Old and New Testaments. It isn't the same.
Blessings.
No, I don't think you are being argumentative at all. I like these types of conversations. I find them interesting and enlightening. When I speak of what I believe I am saying it in honesty. If I were to say that I oppose gay marriage I would be lying. I'm not sure I can see myself changing on that, unless I truly feel that the Holy Spirit is convicting me.
Good. I'm glad we've settled the argumentative question. :)
I guess I would just challenge us all to just embrace God and His Word and not our own best wisdom. Once we're convinced God is actually GOOD, it's easier to believe that what He stands for is ultimately also good.
We can continue asking God to change our hearts.
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