Convert [verb] to change (something) into a
different form or properties; transmute; transform. to cause to adopt a
different religion, political doctrine, opinion, etc. to turn to another
particular use or purpose.
the C word: Convert. Personally, I think
it’s kind of an ugly word. And over these past 10 months (and let’s be real,
over the past 24 years of my life) I’ve seen a lot of time, energy and money
exhausted in hopes of “C Word”ing people into something. Whether it is…
it’s kind of an ugly word. And over these past 10 months (and let’s be real,
over the past 24 years of my life) I’ve seen a lot of time, energy and money
exhausted in hopes of “C Word”ing people into something. Whether it is…
a commercial trying to persuade someone that one brand of
detergent is better than another (right now I’d use ANY brand of detergent as
long as there was a washing machine to put it in)
detergent is better than another (right now I’d use ANY brand of detergent as
long as there was a washing machine to put it in)
a
well-meaning friend claiming that the pain and agony of waking up and running
every morning is actually worth it because better health is the reward (I still
hate it and have yet to be convinced that there is ever a reward coming my way… but thanks for trying, Kasey!)
well-meaning friend claiming that the pain and agony of waking up and running
every morning is actually worth it because better health is the reward (I still
hate it and have yet to be convinced that there is ever a reward coming my way… but thanks for trying, Kasey!)
a cult
following that says we need this new product or techie gadget in our lives to
survive (ps you don’t. it won’t make you that much cooler and you will survive
just fine (and maybe better) without it)
following that says we need this new product or techie gadget in our lives to
survive (ps you don’t. it won’t make you that much cooler and you will survive
just fine (and maybe better) without it)
a person
on the street earnestly handing out flyers that says one political opinion or religion is
really more valid than any other (politics make me uneasy and religion will
eventually be the main topic for this blog)
on the street earnestly handing out flyers that says one political opinion or religion is
really more valid than any other (politics make me uneasy and religion will
eventually be the main topic for this blog)
Whatever it is, you can’t deny that there is a
crazy amount of “C Word”ing happening all around us at any given
moment.
crazy amount of “C Word”ing happening all around us at any given
moment.
Unfortunately, I see no difference from the
world’s obsession with “C Word”ing people and the efforts of most of
the Church. How much time, money, thought and energy is poured into trying to
get people converted? Make them “part of our club”? Get them into the
church pews? I didn’t do a study and I don’t have a factual statistic but
coming from someone who has been in some form of church her whole life, I can
testify that the answer is something like ‘A LOT’!
world’s obsession with “C Word”ing people and the efforts of most of
the Church. How much time, money, thought and energy is poured into trying to
get people converted? Make them “part of our club”? Get them into the
church pews? I didn’t do a study and I don’t have a factual statistic but
coming from someone who has been in some form of church her whole life, I can
testify that the answer is something like ‘A LOT’!
So with that being said, my
question is, “Why?”
question is, “Why?”
I love the gospel of Luke. For my non Bible
reading readers (yes, I know you are out there, and I’m glad you’ve stuck with
me this far!) there are 4 books in the Bible that we call the ‘gospels’ and
each one of them tells all about this guy that I love, Jesus. There are a lot
of the same stories and ideas throughout each of them, just told from 4
different perspectives. I don’t really know WHY I seem to gravitate toward
Luke’s account of Jesus’ life, but the beginning does remind me of a musical (people
are full of joy and bursting out in song at random times) and I think he has
just the right mix of important details and “yada, yada, yada’s” for
my taste. So back to my point: I love Luke and I’m reading through the book and
start to really look at the words that Jesus speaks, and they are crazy! Here
are just a few snippets from His ministry for you:
reading readers (yes, I know you are out there, and I’m glad you’ve stuck with
me this far!) there are 4 books in the Bible that we call the ‘gospels’ and
each one of them tells all about this guy that I love, Jesus. There are a lot
of the same stories and ideas throughout each of them, just told from 4
different perspectives. I don’t really know WHY I seem to gravitate toward
Luke’s account of Jesus’ life, but the beginning does remind me of a musical (people
are full of joy and bursting out in song at random times) and I think he has
just the right mix of important details and “yada, yada, yada’s” for
my taste. So back to my point: I love Luke and I’m reading through the book and
start to really look at the words that Jesus speaks, and they are crazy! Here
are just a few snippets from His ministry for you:
“You who are
poor are blessed, because the Kingdom of God is yours.”
poor are blessed, because the Kingdom of God is yours.”
“You are
blessed when people hate you, when they exclude you, insult you, and slander
your name as evil because of the Son of Man [aka Him].”
blessed when people hate you, when they exclude you, insult you, and slander
your name as evil because of the Son of Man [aka Him].”
“But I say
to you who listen: Love your enemies, do what is good to those who hate you,
bless those who curse you, pray for those who mistreat you.”
to you who listen: Love your enemies, do what is good to those who hate you,
bless those who curse you, pray for those who mistreat you.”
“If anyone
wants to come with Me, he must deny himself, take up his cross [an instrument
of torturous capital punishment. I personally liken it to the de-bowling table
from the final scene in Braveheart] daily, and follow Me. For whoever wants to
save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life because of Me will save
it.”
wants to come with Me, he must deny himself, take up his cross [an instrument
of torturous capital punishment. I personally liken it to the de-bowling table
from the final scene in Braveheart] daily, and follow Me. For whoever wants to
save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life because of Me will save
it.”
“For whoever
is least among you – this one is great.”
is least among you – this one is great.”
“Watch out
and be on guard against all greed because one’s life is not in the abundance of
his possessions.”
and be on guard against all greed because one’s life is not in the abundance of
his possessions.”
“If anyone
comes to Me and does not hate his own father and mother, wife and children,
brothers and sisters – yes, and even his own life – he cannot be My disciple.
Whoever does not bear his own cross [again, with the torture!] and come after
Me cannot be My disciple.”
comes to Me and does not hate his own father and mother, wife and children,
brothers and sisters – yes, and even his own life – he cannot be My disciple.
Whoever does not bear his own cross [again, with the torture!] and come after
Me cannot be My disciple.”
“Whoever
tries to make his life secure will lose it, and whoever loses his life will
preserve it.”
tries to make his life secure will lose it, and whoever loses his life will
preserve it.”
“Everyone
who exalts himself will be humbled, but the one who humbles himself will be
exalted.”
who exalts himself will be humbled, but the one who humbles himself will be
exalted.”
Soooooo I think it’s pretty obvious that Jesus is NOT
trying to “C Word” people! He wasn’t interested in the numbers. He
gave people the facts. He would give them TRUE LIFE that they would not be able
to find through any other person, religion, ritual or item, but it was not
always going to be easy. He didn’t ignore the hard things to convince anyone to
follow Him. So why do we?
trying to “C Word” people! He wasn’t interested in the numbers. He
gave people the facts. He would give them TRUE LIFE that they would not be able
to find through any other person, religion, ritual or item, but it was not
always going to be easy. He didn’t ignore the hard things to convince anyone to
follow Him. So why do we?
I have seen a lot of people give their lives to
Christ this year, and for that I rejoice. I REALLY DO! It’s amazing to see
someone’s face change as they realize who they are in perspective to a
sovereign, holy, almighty, all-knowing, all-powerful God and then see the light
fill their eyes when they hear about how much He loves them and wants to fill
their lives with true meaning and purpose. For real, beautiful moments.
However, I can’t help but wonder how many times we do people a disservice when
we talk about our faith and present the Good News. How many times do we leave out the
rough stuff? How often do we show the love and grace but forget to mention how
we are told that we WILL suffer for His name’s sake? And even if we do give
them the facts, what are we doing after they make the decision to follow His
Way? Are we leaving them with a Bible and a few prayers? Or are we really
taking seriously the things that Jesus said to us about the Kingdom and our
responsibilities?
Christ this year, and for that I rejoice. I REALLY DO! It’s amazing to see
someone’s face change as they realize who they are in perspective to a
sovereign, holy, almighty, all-knowing, all-powerful God and then see the light
fill their eyes when they hear about how much He loves them and wants to fill
their lives with true meaning and purpose. For real, beautiful moments.
However, I can’t help but wonder how many times we do people a disservice when
we talk about our faith and present the Good News. How many times do we leave out the
rough stuff? How often do we show the love and grace but forget to mention how
we are told that we WILL suffer for His name’s sake? And even if we do give
them the facts, what are we doing after they make the decision to follow His
Way? Are we leaving them with a Bible and a few prayers? Or are we really
taking seriously the things that Jesus said to us about the Kingdom and our
responsibilities?
As I was hashing some of this out in my room the
other night the beautiful Chelsea Hughes so simply stated, “Jesus clearly
doesn’t tell us to make CONVERTS of all nations, He tells us to make
DISCIPLES.” (Matthew 28:18-20) Right on, cat killer! We should not be
content to see people IN churches, “C Word”ed and doing the Christian
thing to do. That’s just not good enough, friends! We are disciples of Jesus,
and disciples do as their teacher does. What did our Teacher do? Well… He
loved, healed, challenged and discipled those around Him. He took a SERIOUS
interest in who people were and saw the potential that God placed inside of
them to be world changers, and He constantly spoke LIFE and TRUTH into them.
other night the beautiful Chelsea Hughes so simply stated, “Jesus clearly
doesn’t tell us to make CONVERTS of all nations, He tells us to make
DISCIPLES.” (Matthew 28:18-20) Right on, cat killer! We should not be
content to see people IN churches, “C Word”ed and doing the Christian
thing to do. That’s just not good enough, friends! We are disciples of Jesus,
and disciples do as their teacher does. What did our Teacher do? Well… He
loved, healed, challenged and discipled those around Him. He took a SERIOUS
interest in who people were and saw the potential that God placed inside of
them to be world changers, and He constantly spoke LIFE and TRUTH into them.
Please hear my words: I am not saying that we
should not evangelize. We MUST tell people the Truth. But are we putting all
our efforts into convincing and converting, when maybe they should be on loving
and making disciples?
should not evangelize. We MUST tell people the Truth. But are we putting all
our efforts into convincing and converting, when maybe they should be on loving
and making disciples?
I don’t have a lot of answers, but here are my
questions for us, the Redeemed: Are we helping turn what is supposed to be a
beautiful committed love relationship into a shallow weekend duty for the
masses by not addressing what it truly means to be a follower of Christ? Are we
content with people just knowing ABOUT Jesus but not actually experiencing His
real power to heal, transform and set free? Are we neglecting our
responsibility to DISCIPLE those who profess a faith in Jesus, leaving them in
practically the same spiritual state as before they became a Christian? How are
we living with abandonment and grace so that the world sees, feels and knows
the difference that following Christ has made in our lives every single day?
questions for us, the Redeemed: Are we helping turn what is supposed to be a
beautiful committed love relationship into a shallow weekend duty for the
masses by not addressing what it truly means to be a follower of Christ? Are we
content with people just knowing ABOUT Jesus but not actually experiencing His
real power to heal, transform and set free? Are we neglecting our
responsibility to DISCIPLE those who profess a faith in Jesus, leaving them in
practically the same spiritual state as before they became a Christian? How are
we living with abandonment and grace so that the world sees, feels and knows
the difference that following Christ has made in our lives every single day?
