Last night I was speaking with someone close to me about the recent changes to my blog page. They had an issue with one of the new pictures I placed on my page. It's the one in the left column that says "Jesus Loves: pornstars, addicts, strippers, homeless, prostitutes, drug dealers, sinners, outcasts, pimps, murders, and child molesters. This person stated that I should take it down immediately. That people who read my blog would be quite offended by the last name on that list- "child molesters". I said, "I don't care."
Who are we in western Christianity today that we feel we have the option of deciding who we are to love and who we are not? We say we follow Jesus, that we are committed to Him, yet we draw the line on where and who we love. I'm so sick of this "comfort christianity" that plagues this nation! This idea that we can create the Jesus of our own understanding. The notion that we can follow the Lord of all, yet only with the resources and time we feel is adequate. The thought that salvation is the calling point to our walk, and that as long as we pray, attend church, and try not to sin we are doing enough. Have we forgotten who we serve? Couple this with evangelism that calls for a raising of the hand and a simple prayer, and your saved. Fast-food salvation.
People like the thought of a Savior that will go to great lengths to help a prostitute, eat with a criminal, and bring salvation to a murderer while on the cross. Yet, when it comes to us today, so many want nothing to do with those people. When Jesus commands us to love he didn't make exclusions. I'm convinced that this mind-set is one of the ways we turn so many people away from the church today. We are a love deprived church. Willing to do just enough to make us feel wholly satisfied. Yet when it calls for us to step outside of our comfort zone we turn and run. The gospel will not advance without discomfort, challenge, and persecution. Look at the countries of China, Indonesia, and Korea. There is revival taking place. Miracles, healing, and souls being saved are common occurrence. The price they pay for this is great to say the least. However, they welcome the cost that comes with it. Is it coincidence that these countries that are bearing so much fruit are also the most highly persecuted?
So many people are short-listers. They have a short list of actions they think are appropriate enough to satisfy their role as a follower of Jesus. They go on short trips to third-world countries where they build a schoolhouse, maybe a church, take their picture with some underprivileged children, get their passport stamped, and return home. Check. Others would simply prefer to write a check, allowing others to be their hands and feet. Can anyone show me in the Bible where Paul asked for money before he was sent out? Others have worked a job for years, yet not once shared the gospel with even one co-worker. Now, don't get me wrong, helping the nations and paying for the good works of others are great things. But they are only great when intertwined with a either a continuing of the mission at home, or when we are reaching out to those locally. Everyone is called to be an apostle (sent one, from the Greek meaning of the word apostolos). Everyone is called to be radical for Jesus. No one is called to mediocrity. No one is called to simply to goto church, pray, and read the Bible. We are called to do this and so, so, so much more. In fact, we are not just called, but commanded. I know that personally, I don't want to be like the church in Laodicea (Rev. 3:14-22) caught being lukewarm. I want to be found on fire. Jesus says anything but that, and He will spit us out of His mouth. If that doesn't convict you, I'm not sure what will.
I dont want people to hear my words as coming from a heart of condemnation. I agree that there are many communities of believers doing the right things. I've seen them and been privileged to be a part of a few. However, it is my intention to fully stir the minds and hearts of some. If this brings controversy or anger than I welcome it. We need more discomfort and out-of-the box thinking in the church today. If we look at our country and the world around us, I think we can agree that something needs to change. The middle-east is in complete turmoil. We are coming upon an election where we are forced to choose between putting a president who believes in abortion and gay marriage, or one who is a mormon in the white house. Mass murders are happening at movie theaters and schools. Europe is facing a economic crisis like never before. And, it seems that natural disasters are becoming more commonplace than ever before in history. Darkness is everywhere. Simply put, the world needs the love of Christ more than ever before. We were created by God to be his light. Will we follow the commands of Jesus and bring forth the light into the darkest places? Or will we be bystanders.
If love and full obedience to the one who loved us first was our motivating force, the church would thrive. Lets all be completely sold-out, unashamed, radical, dramatic, charismatic Christians who love with no end. Ones who bring the light into the darkest of places without fear. Can you imagine the results? I can.
