Christians Must Suffer

"God is pursuing with omnipotent passion a worldwide purpose of gathering joyful worshipers for Himself from every tribe and tongue and people and nation. He has an inexhaustible enthusiasm for the supremacy of His name among the nations. Therefore, let us bring our affections into line with His, and for the sake ...of His name, let us renounce the quest for wordly comforts and join His global purpose." -John Piper-

In light of my last post I thought it good to play and old, yet favorite clip from John Piper. What are willing to do and how much are we truly willing to risk for the glory of God? Is Christ worth all this heart ache and does He deserve my utmost passion and commitment? The answer is a resounding YES! Sadly, this is not the case for most who call themselves His disciples. It seems that somehow we have made Christ out to love us more than He would love His own glory. In doing this we strip away one of the greatest truths there is, that Christ loves His own glory more than anything else. More than you and more than me. If Christ did not love himself and desire His glory above all things then what would he be communicating to you and I. That there is something out there more glorious and more worthy of my love and usually this means us. Since we love to place man at the center of Christ's affection. The truth is Christ loves His own glory!

"Let us pray that we may be delivered from a cold, dead, speculative, un-sanctified head knowledge of Christianity. It is a rock on which thousands make shipwreck to all eternity. No heart becomes so hard as that on which the light shines, but finds no admission. To be an ignorant heathen, and bow down to idols and stones, is bad enough. But, to be called a Christian, and yet cleave to sin and the world with the heart, is to be a candidate for the worst and lowest place in hell. It is to be as like the devil as possible."  - J.C Ryle

As I look around at the landscape of modern day Christian confessors, I cannot help but feel that this quote is as true a statement today as much (if not more) than when it was written over 100 years ago.

The sad reality is that many of us today make much over our comfort, so much over our happiness and so much over our own ego driven lives ...... that many (even those who claim Christianity) seem not characterized by men and women who risk much, are consumed much and are passionate much for the ultimate glory of our Lord. I pray that God and His (today unread and un-preached) word would convict many over their dead, complacent, weak and heartless devotions for the fame of His name.

It never ceases to amaze me at what goes for true Christianity today. You hear many today speak of their relationship with God in terms such as; "I have prayed a prayer" or "I go to church" and "I believe that there is a God". However, as one goes deeper into questions one will find that many of these people seem to have prayed a prayer to, went to church for and believed in a God that has little to no resemblance to the Biblical/historical Jesus. Many people today simply have fashioned a Jesus in their own image. A God they are most comfortable with. A Jesus of low expectations and a desire to see them happy and with stuff above all else. As person after person would describe "their" Jesus, one would not be able to help but see a picture of Christ emerging that continually took the form of a genie in a bottle, a powerless pushover or a silent Santa of sorts. Constantly and time after time a Jesus continually in contradiction to the Christ taught us in scripture.

My prayer is that God would raise up men and women who are relentless in their pursuit to bring God the glory due His name. Individuals who are overcome by the grace and mercy that has been given them in the TRUE gospel of Jesus Christ. People who are willing to sacrifice all earthly comforts, all worldly pleasures and all fleshly desires for the greater reward and greater treasure of being known by God and used of God for His own good pleasure and will. Believers who take their marching orders and views of God from His word and truth rather from cultural trends and man centered theology. May we all say as the missionary Jim Elliot has stated; 

"Lord make of me a crisis man. Bring those I contact to decision. Let me not be a milepost on a single road, make me a fork, that a man must turn one way or another on facing Christ in me."

Many Gripped By Fear!

We recently had brother Paul Washer visit and stay in our home here this past week as he came to learn of the work within this particular part of the world. It was a pleasure to have him here and to speak/share with him many of the amazing opportunities for ministry that are present within this location. On the other hand his visit has also only further lead me to believe and see what I had already began to believe and experience here already. Fear has gripped the missionary endeavors here! They have forgotten that we serve the great God and King who not only can get us here but, keep us here.

It is very dis-heartening to see how so many western missionaries are so given to fear and how easily and readily they are prepared to cheapen the gospel (slipping into massive contextualization... As in contextualization effecting the gospel and the life of a true follower of Christ) in order to blend in somehow or somehow not risk persecution. I recently have been attending an International  church service here (run by western missionaries) and what I am experiencing there is shocking! These services never have theological/doctrinal truths taught/dealt with and rarely have scripture expounded upon (only a verse here and there to back up some point usually out of context). Not to mention the widespread easy beleivism and say this little prayer methodology that has come to define evangelism today. Instead these services are usually highly topical, psycho-babbling, story laden talks which leave me wondering what it is that so many of these missionaries actually believe and how do they go about ministering to the people they come into contact with?  What I am finding out is truly shocking! I almost think I would rather them teach most of what we experience back in the States rather than what I am seeing (sarcasm).

It seems that many believers are simply just to scared to do anything radical for the glory of God. These individuals being to fearful to declare and to ill equipped to proclaim the truths of the gospel to a lost and dying world. Many even fearful to correct falsehoods that even arise within those who call themselves believers here. I am not speaking here of being unwise, rude or offensive. We are all to seek wisdom in our dealing with others. We should all practice kindness and humility. And we should all of us seek to be compassionate to others. However, we all must also have boldness, courage and Spirit filled passion in our handling of the scriptures and the preaching/teaching of the gospel in places where Christ is not yet worshiped. The fear of man and the missionaries unwillingness to risk much for the glory of God is sickening to say the least.

Contextualizing Away The Biblical Gospel

So what is contextualization? Contextualization is the process of adapting the gospel message to a myriad of cultural contexts in the world today. As Christians, we want to relate to our culture, but there's a real risk of morally selling out to that culture.  Many have a tendency to sell out due to the natural aversion to being rejected for what they believe. In order to avoid rejection, they attempt to conform or cleverly come up with new ways to engage that culture without risk of persecution or rejection (often removing those elements that are most opposed to those we come in contact with. Namely: The Gospel). John Macarthur on Contextualization has stated;

 

"The apos­tles went out with an absolute dis­dain for con­tex­tu­al­iza­tion. The mod­ern drive for cul­tural con­tex­tu­al­iza­tion is a curse, because peo­ple are wast­ing their time try­ing to fig­ure out clever ways to draw in the elect. Con­tex­tu­al­iza­tion is "zip-code min­istry?" The mes­sage of Jesus Christ, on the other hand, is tran­scen­dent. It goes beyond its imme­di­ate cul­ture or sub-culture. It crosses the world, and ignores the nuances of cul­ture." John Macarthur 

It seems a real problem here as so many workers seem scared of their own shadows. It is truly surprising and unnerving to see so many uncomfortable individuals who literally get bent out of shape when you begin speaking of our Savior and Lord. My question here is, if it is so difficult and uncomfortable to talk about Christ and His gospel with other professed believers, then how on earth do they expect to do so with those who do net yet believe? The answer is: they don't! They simply smile and are intentional in looking real happy, just waiting for the individuals around them to ask them about Christ, so it seems.

The C5 and Insider Movements

C5 describes the closest accommodation to Islam that is possible and still encourages the Lordship of Christ. C5 describes a community of Messianic Muslims who have accepted Jesus as Lord and savior. They remain legally and socially within the ummah. They call themselves Muslims without any reference to their relationship to Christ. Believers are free to remain active in the mosque, although actual practice may vary. They perform the salat like any other Muslim; though the content of their prayers may vary. They affirm the shahada (creed), underlining the prophethood of Muhammad and may go on pilgrimage. They may participate in their own communities for worship. In certain C5 communities, evangelical Christians can legally convert to Islam and join the mosque community itself.  C5 is a reflection of intentional western missiology, western training, and often a great deal of western money. Mission agencies expend a great deal of effort to promote “Insider”/C5 methods. These movements and methods are very dangerous to the cause of Christ and cheapen and even redefine the gospel and what it means to be a true Christ follower.

When I see movements and methods such as these I cannot help but feel like we are increasingly giving into earthly pressures and forsaking the God in whom we supposedly claim. Far to often missions in this realm of thinking leads to a man centered, man made, and man ran system that places Christ and His Spirit on the back burner.

"I doubt, indeed, whether we have any warrant for saying that a man can possibly be converted without being consecrated to God. More consecrated he doubtless can be, and will be as his grace increases; but if he was not consecrated to God in the very day that he was converted and born again, I do not know what conversion means." J.C Ryle

 

I am not suggesting that one must become American or even begin to look like what most American Christians are doing...far from it! I am suggesting that as we are to seek to be more biblical and like Christ, that they also would begin the process of sanctification unto the glory of God. So many today stress the importance of keeping ones culture....I am in full agreement. For my citizenship is not of this world and this is truly not my home.  It is the gospel that I take issues with not music, language, cultural dress and cultural identity... However, on the gospel we must be uncompromising. Lest, we forget the gospel at some point in time was very counter cultural to our very own way of living and cultural expectations. The gospel is counter cultural....sorry.... doesn't matter what culture it is. I have begun to loath what we call American Christianity. It is biblical Christianity that we are to strive after.

The Need To Wake Up!

I feel it is important at this time to allow the scriptures to speak and not fall into what others are becoming more and more inclined to do. Mainly, coming up with new ways and new concepts in ministry, ones in which seldom use scripture and are more about the methods and strategy of man, rather than the commandments and power of God in His word.  

"Do your best to present yourself to God as one approved, a worker who has no need to be ashamed, rightly handling the word of truth." 2 Tim. 2:15

"I charge you in the presence of God and Christ Jesus, who is to judge the living and the dead, and by His appearing and His kingdom: Preach the word; be ready in season and out of season; reprove, rebuke, and exhort, with complete patience and teaching. For the time is coming when people will not endure sound teaching, but having itching ears they will accumulate for themselves teachers to suit their own passions and will turn away from listening to the truth and wander off into myths. As for you, always be sober minded, endure suffering, do the work of an evangelist, fulfill your ministry."

2 Tim. 4:1-5

"Therefore, having this ministry by the mercy of God, we do not lose heart. But we have renounced disgraceful, underhanded ways. We refuse to practice cunning or tamper with God's word, but, by the open statement of the truth we would commend ourselves to everyone's conscience in the sight of God." 2 Cor 4:1-2

"Keep close watch on yourself and on the teaching. Persist in this, for by doing so you will save both yourself and your hearers." 1 Tim.4:16

Dealing with the overseer, "He must hold firm to the trustworthy word taught, so that he may be able to give instruction in sound doctrine and also to rebuke those who contradict it." Titus 1:9

"So that we may no longer be children, tossed to and fro by the waves and carried about by every wind of doctrine, by human cunning, by craftiness in deceitful schemes. Rather, speaking the truth in love, we are to grow up in every way into him who is the head, into Christ." Eph. 4:14-15

"I am astonished that you are so quickly deserting Him who called you in the grace of Christ and are turning to a different gospel not that there is another one, but there are some who trouble you and want to distort the gospel of Christ. But, even if we or an angel from heaven should preach to you a gospel contrary to the one we preached to you, let him be accursed. (v.10) For am I now seeking the approval of man or of God? Or am I trying to please man? If I were still trying to please man, I would not be a servant of Christ." Gal. 1:6-10

Conclusion

We need prayer here brothers and sisters. I am constantly reminded that I will be a bit of an odd ball here among even my own people. However, I do not intend on or plan on backing down or becoming  fearful of man while I am here (please pray for this). The Lord has brought me this far and I am convinced that he can keep me here as long as he so chooses (I pray longer than shorter). I seek to be wise, humble, loving (in truth), compassionate, caring, gentle and creative in my ability to share the gospel with others. However, I also understand that I must be bold, courageous, biblical and committed (even unto persecution) for the glory of God and the biblical/historical gospel that seems to be so lacking here. For the love of God and for the love of these people pray for nothing short of a revival and a move of the Holy Spirit here. I did not come here for man made results. I seek for the Holy Spirit to move within my life and others in ways that only He can receive the glory. Will join with me and pray that He would make His glory known here?

"If God does not save men by truth, he certainly will not save them by lies. And if the old gospel is not competent to work a revival, then we will do without the revival." Charles Spurgeon

"The power that is in the gospel does not lie in the eloquence of the preacher, otherwise men would be the converters of souls, nor does it lie in the preachers learning, otherwise it would consist in the wisdom of men. We might preach until our tongues rot off, till we would exhaust our lungs and die, but never a soul would be converted unless the Holy Spirit be with the preached word of God to give it the power to convert the soul." Charles Spurgeon

A Family Devotion

This morning during our family devotion we read out of Charles Spurgeon's "Morning and Evening" and I was encouraged beyond measure at what I read there.... It meant so much to me today that I wanted to share it with you as well and make a few comments. Below is this mornings devotion:

"Yes, O Lord, with you, but not to you. All my natural alienation from You, Your grace has effectually removed; and now, in fellowship with Yourself, I walk through this sinful world as a pilgrim in a foreign country. You are a stranger in your own world. Man forgets You, dishonors You, sets up new laws and alien customs, and knows You not. When your dear Son came unto His own, His own received Him not. He was in the world , and the world was made by Him, and the world did not recognize Him. There was never a foreigner who stood out from the inhabitants of any country as much as Your beloved Son among His mother's brethren. It is no marvel, then, if I who live the life of Jesus should be unknown and a stranger here below. Lord, I would not be a citizen where Jesus was an alien. His pierced hand has loosened the cords that once bound my soul to earth, and now I find myself a stranger in the land. My speech seems to these pagans among whom I dwell a strange tongue, my manners are singular, and my actions are outlandish. A prince would be more at home in the Ghetto than I could ever be in the haunts of sinners. But here is the sweetness of my circumstance: I am a stranger with you. You are my fellow-sufferer, my fellow pilgrim. Oh, what joy to wander in such blessed company! My heart burns within me on the journey when you speak to me, and though I am a traveler, I am far more blessed than those who sit on thrones, and far more at home than those who live in their comfortable homes."

This was such an encouragement to me as I think about how often through the world's eyes and standards, all seem weird and strange, as we live for the Lord's ultimate glory on earth, rather than our own. The scriptures state; 

"If the world hates you, you know that it has hated Me before it hated you. If you were of the world, the world would love its own; but because you are not of the world, but I chose you out of the world, because of this the world hates you." (John 15:18-19).

Why? Because we are different... Or atleast we should be. If anyone of us is truly converted to Christ and He now is the Savior of our souls unto God, then there will be a change of thought, of life, of speech and of pursuits that are will be keeping inline with scripture.

If anyone calls themselves a believer yet fails to adopt an all out pursuit to bring glory and honor to the name of Christ and please Him in all we do, then one may be verily deceived in thinking they are something that the scriptures would declare they are not. We will begin to love the things that God loves and hate the things that God hates and will no longer be characterized as men and women who live lives and think thoughts that are in complete contradiction to the scriptures call of a true disciple of Jesus Christ.

As I read this devotion today I am reminded that this is not my home! This is not my final dwelling.... therefore, I must not get too comfortable here. I see so many confessing Christians today living this life as they were satisfied in calling this earth home. How sad to see so many loosing sight of what we were made for. Let me ask a question: If you knew you were only going to be coming to my house to stay for one night, would you bring all your possessions and unpack them as if you were going to make yourself comfortable for those 24 hours? Would you unpack your clothing into drawers and closets? Would you hang up some of your favorite art work and pictures? Would you go to the grocery store and fill up the fridge? No....of course not and why? Because this is not your home and because you are only here for just a little while. How is this world any different for the believer? Stop getting too comfortable, stop unpacking and settling down, stop with the thinking that you were made for this world. You are not! This is not our home....we are only here for such a short time...... we are merely passing through. We must stop with the complacent attitudes and lives consumed with making our stay enjoyable by the standards of this world and find our joy in living for Christ and His glory while we are in this world. Listen to this great quote from C.S Lewis;

"...it would seem that our Lord finds our desires, not too strong but too weak. We are half-hearted creatures, fooling about with drink and sex and ambition, when infinite joy is offered us, like an ignorant child who wants to go on making mud pies in a slum, because he cannot imagine what is meant by the offer of a holiday by the sea shore. We are far too easily pleased." -C.S. Lewis-

May we find our pleasure simply in taking up the banner of Christ and living for His glory here while we are simply passing through until the day we stand before Him in glory. God bless you all......