Humility or Arrogance?

We live in a world where the definition of these two words (humility and arrogance) are flipped.  When a pastor stands in front of a group of people and speaks about himself, his own thoughts, and his own experiences he is said to be a humble man.  When a pastor stands in front of a group of people and speaks about God, God's thought, God's truths, God's commands and doesn't mention himself he is said to be arrogant.  The preacher speaks the truth of God plainly and has no business messing with the message.  He is but a messenger.  He speaks the words of his Master.  He should not place himself in his Master's place.  Doug Wilson provides us with a short, but very true explanation here.

Do I Hate Unbelievers?

Is every Christian a missionary?  This is just one of many questions posed by Colin Marshall and Tony Payne in their book The Trellis and the Vine.  Here is a short excerpt of their answer.

"The Christian without a missionary heart is an anomaly.  The missionary heart will be seen in all kinds of ways: in prayers for the lost, in making sure our behaviour offends no one, in gospel conversations with friends, and in making every effort to save some.  We are slaves without rights, even though we are free (cf. 2 Cor 4:5; Phil 2:7)."

There is a great struggle within the church in the Unites States today.  We desire for others to come to know Christ but it seems too socially awkward to approach them and tell them about Christ.  I recently led a Bible study on evangelism and stated that we are given opportunities each day to share our faith with unbelieving neighbors, friends, and family.  How often do we meet an unbelieving neighbor in the grocery store and only say hello?  Why do we resist getting beyond the surface conversation, pray for them right there, and telling them about the love of Christ?  Someone answered with, "But we don't want to ruin any type of relationship that has been built up.  Telling them about Christ at the grocery store would make us both uncomfortable."

My father used to tell me that if something was important to you then you would do it.  For example, if you say that prayer is important to you then you should be praying consistently and with power.  If following the commands of Jesus Christ means sharing the truth of His Gospel with others then I should be sharing the Gospel with others.  It's not rocket science.  In fact, Marshall and Payne write about Penn Jillette, an avowed and vocal atheist, and one-half of the famous comic-illusionist act Penn and Teller.  "He was evangelized by a polite and impressive man, and had this to say about the experience:

'. . . I've always said, you know, that I don't respect people who don't proselytize.  I don't respect that at all.  If you believe that there's a heaven and hell, and people could be going to hell, or not getting eternal life or whatever, and you think that, well, it's not really worth telling them this because it would make it socially awkward . . . How much do you have to hate somebody to not proselytize?  How much do you have to hate somebody to believe that everlasting life is possible and not tell them that?  I mean, if I believed beyond a shadow of a doubt that a truck was coming at you, and you didn't believe it, and that truck was bearing down on you, there is a certain point where I tackle you.  And this is more important than that . . .'"

Atheists get it.  Why don't we?  Any reason given for not sharing Christ with others is given to excuse our lack of missionary heart.  And in the words of Penn Jillette, "How much do you have to hate somebody to believe that everlasting life is possible and not tell them that?"

American Evangelicalism and the Role of the Messiah

"Then he strictly charged the disciples to tell no one that he was the Christ."

Matthew 16:20 (ESV)

During my Bible reading this evening I came across Matthew 16:13-20 where Jesus asks his disciples who they believe he is.  After Peter's confession that Jesus is the Messiah the disciples are given strict orders to not tell anyone "that he was the Christ."  This command was given because the expectations of the people of Israel for the Messiah was one of military conquest instead of spiritual/soul conquest.  This, of course, makes sense.  If the disciples began to openly declare his Messiahship before the appointed time it would "have instigated a political movement that would have hampered his real mission" (ESV Reformation Bible Study Note).

After reading this passage my mind began to take a weird journey.  Trying to bring this passage into our current context of the 21st Century I began to think about the role of American Evangelicalism in our churches.  One area that I frequently have conversations with those I would a part of this ideology is the view of America as a country blessed and protected by God.  American flags are found in the front right next to the cross and books are presented that talk about the Christian history of America.  At times it seems that I have more conversations about how the country is going away from its Christian roots than about how my neighbor will be spending eternity in unimaginable suffering away from the presence of God. 

Which brings me back to the passage in Matthew.  I know how dangerous it can be to take a passage that was for a specific time and place and people and transfer it to a situation nearly two thousand years later.  But I couldn't stop myself in the comparison.  I believe that the main message of this passage was to reveal to the disciples that the call of the Messiah was not what everyone assumed.  His call was not to rule a nation but to rule the heart and soul of the elect.  His call was not to bring Israel back to political and military prominence in the world but suffer and die and be raised to life and ascend to the right hand of the Father.  His call was to reveal to the whole world his love, mercy, grace, justice, and glory.

What would happen if the Church rose up not for political gain or influence, but rose up to be used by God for the work of souls?  How would the Church look different if preached the Gospel with our lives and mouths instead of picketing at political rallies?  How would the world look different if we focused on Christ as the Savior of Souls instead of the Savior of Nations?  This is a dangerous topic, but I want your input.  Am I off base?  Am I misinterpreting the call of the Messiah? 

Don't hear me wrong.  I believe we should stand up for what is right politically, especially those things blatantly against scripture.  I hold very strong conservative political views and continue to pray for our President and leaders.  But where should our real focus be as believers: the saving of America or the glory of God through his work of salvation?

I report . . . you decide.  (Sorry!)  Let me know what you think.