So, I have a confession to make…
I grew up in the church. I went to Bible School and got my bachelors degree in Biblical Studies. I have spent enough time in the church, enough time to get comfortable. Enough time to care more about doctrine and theological differences than I do about the homeless guy down the street. Enough time to care more about looking good than I do loving others. Enough time that I have forgotten what it means to accept grace and extend grace.
So I am taking this crazy mind blowing class that is driving us to change our “perspective” on what it means to do cross-cultural ministry. Tonight we walked into the building, but we were met by someone who directed the men to one entrance and the women to another entrance. Before we were able to enter in we washed our hands three times in this bowl and took our shoes off. Then we knelt down on the ground with a divider between the women and men. The women had to cover their hair and faces. Then a man dressed in white came before and spoke arabic (I think) and prayed to Allah through Isa al Masih. (God through Jesus the Messiah)
So you might be thinking…huh what kind of class is this? If you are curious just ask me. But the point that he was trying to make was a big one. Can you see what it is?
Let me share a verse with you.
“Though I am free and belong to no one, I have made myself a slave to everyone, to win as many as possible. To the Jews I became like a Jew, to win the Jews. To those under the law I became like one under the law (though I myself am not under the law), so as to win those under the law. To those not having the law I became like one not having the law (though I am not free from God’s law but am under Christ’s law), so as to win those not having the law. To the weak I became weak, to win the weak. I have become all things to all people so that by all possible means I might save some. I do all this for the sake of the gospel, that I may share in its blessings.”- 1 Corinthians 9:19-23
How are we to treat Muslims? Are we to sit back in our comfy churches and cast judgements and condemnation from afar? Are we to make racially charged statements and group them all together? How are we going to spread the gospel among Hindu people? Buddhist? How about your neighbor? Do you even want the gospel to spread or are you content leaving it where it is? As long as you are saved right?
Yes these are hard truths. Not sitting easy in me either.
But, we are called to be followers of Christ. Not followers of our culture. What did Jesus do? Did he sit on his throne with all his power and authority and tell us how to follow him up there? No, Paul said,
“In your relationships with one another, have the same mindset as Christ Jesus:
Who, being in very nature God,
did not consider equality with God something to be used to his own advantage;
rather, he made himself nothing
by taking the very nature of a servant,
being made in human likeness.
And being found in appearance as a man,
he humbled himself
by becoming obedient to death—
even death on a cross!” -Philippians 2:5-8
Jesus stepped down into our culture, our mess and he became like us, in order to have a relationship with us.
So I have a confession to make. I have been a comfy Christian. I don’t want to be one anymore.
