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I read something a few weeks ago which I have been mulling over ever since. It's a story told by Gene Greitenbach, of a man and a woman dating.
Charles and Sara sometimes hang out together, but Charles doesn't really like Sara very much. One day it hits him:
"The way to help Sara is to date her! If we were to go out, my strengths would rub off on her, and she would be far better off for it. It would require sacrifice on my part, but it's the least I can do."
Charles marches up to Sara's door with a book entitled 100 Things Sara Needs to Change in Order to Become a Real Person. He rings the doorbell. When she answers, he shoves the book in her face and states, "I've decided it would be best for you if we date. When you finish reading this, I'll be waiting in my truck!"
Now I recognize that sometimes I can be socially awkward, but even I can recognize the problem here. I don't think Sara would be very enthusiastic about dating Charles. Greitenbach says that Charles is a metaphor for the current state of evangelism in the United States.
This makes me think of how the ministry of Jesus, as He walked the earth, was radically inclusive. So much so, He was criticized because of who he hung out with, by the religious leaders and the Pharasees. He was ridiculed over whom he ate with because they were "sinners" and people with bad reputations. Jesus shrugged off the criticism saying that he didn't come for the righteous, but the sinners.
I wonder how this applies to us today. As Christians, is our mission more exclusive? I don't think so.
I have a personal opinion that involves a lot of conjecture, but I will submit it for your consideration. I can't help but believe that after God made Adam and Eve, he longed for real, genuine relationships with his human creation. After thousands of years God took the appearance of man in the form of Jesus. We know this was to fulfill prophecy and eventually lead to His death and resurrection so that through Him, we might have our sins forgiven and be reconciled to God. But I think there's more to it than that.
I believe that in His longing for relationships with people, He was excited about finally being able to sit down for a meal and have a good face-to-face conversation with His creation. I picture Jesus sitting at a table with a crowd of people, eating and drinking and telling stories. I believe Jesus laughed at their jokes and told a few of His own. I think He spent some of His time with his arms propped under His chin as He listened to these people intently, and He sat there, thinking to Himself, "I really love these people."
If I'm not reading too much between the lines, I believe this is how Christians should relate to sinners. As Christians we carry a message which the world desperately needs to hear, but they are not likely to hear it if it is presented like the Book of 100 Changes The World Needs to Make to Become Real People. They are already real people, people that need love and relationships just like we do.
Have you hugged a "sinner" today? Have you listened closely to their words, letting them know that what they think is important to you? That's my challenge for this week.
Everyday. It is a sad thing when Christians only have Christian friends. We can't be salt if we never leave the salt shaker. On the other hand, there are many Christians that assume other Christians only have Christian friends because they don't tell everyone about the personal evangelism that is going on in their daily lives.
Great challenge--Jesus was a great example of meeting people right where they are and then inviting them into his. Such a beautiful thing. This is my desire.
Thanks for your comments, Teresa. There was a time in my life where I didn't know any non-Christians. I can hardly recall those days, but I do remember I wasn't very happy or fulfilled then.
There are a lot of wonderful people out there, and guess what, they're not all Christians. We don't have to be preaching to them all the time, just love them and let God's love show through us. They'll eventually get the message.
Thanks David. Good point. Some of the kindest, most helpful people that have been in my life were not Christians, but I believe God sent them to me. Some of them are believers now, but I still have great respect for all of them.
Bruce, we need to rise up and be the salt and light of the world, that's how we, as Christians should relate to the rest of the world. We are to add flavor to the lives of everyone we encounter and live reflecting a relationship with our Savior. They should feel as if they have been in His presence when we're around and after we leave . . . and want what we're on.
I admire the challenge for yourself. It's a joyful way to welcome each day. Thank you for a mind-stirring article. You're very good at doing that, Bruce. Blessings to you, your family and team! Respond to this comment
I strongly believe Christians should mingle with other faiths and those who we claim are our enemy. Like Mother Teresa said "If you want peace don't talk to your friends talk to your enemies. I hope Obama puts diplomacy at work in his administration.
» left by sue thom from nj (343 days 22 hours ago.)
hi bruce,
taking a stab at writing again, huh? you did very well, this was a well written article. i can only think of one person who may not be a Christian. not by choice, that's just how it happens to be.
this one person, however, is in construction type work, so his jeans are always oily and dirty, long hair tied in a pony tail, black leather jacket, and a Harley. i have to say, if i were to lose my partner, he would be the one i would call for help, and he would be the one who would come. not my brother the Sergeant, or my sister the teacher, or my other brother the computer programmer, but this man. i think he believes in God, but i'm not sure, we never talked about it. he is just loyal and respectful of other's rights, and as long as he respects me for who i am, i will respect him for who he is. maybe that should be the key to humankind. respect one another as you are respected. thanks for a good article.
Thanks Sue. I'm not sure if I should encourage you to give this guy a hug or not!
I've really enjoyed writing, though I know it's for selfish reasons. It really helps me to organize my thoughts and "put away" things that I've been thinking about.
Thanks for a great read. It's the excessive theologizing, moralizing, pontificating and assuming that we "have it right" at all times that drives me crazy about Christians. Why do we need to act like we have a corner on reality rather than humbly living our lives and serving others in cooperation with God? Am I missing something? Over the years, I guess my spiritual journey (the older I get the less I know for certain) has taken me to a different place inside than others of Christian faith. Be well.
Thanks James. I agree that the older I get the less I know for certain. I saw an interview with Billy Graham a few years ago and he said the same thing.
I read your article with great care and thank you for writing it.
I guess, in my own case, my fear is that I'm not shoving a book on the girl as a precondition for our dating, but I'm doing something else. I'm thinking I have been too contentious lately.
Back in my church of Christ preacher days I realized that it was possible for the liberal to worship with a conservative, but it was not possible for the conservative to worship with the liberal.
In the Church of Christ they believed it was a sin to sing hymns while a piano was being played. (no instrumental music). So someone who had no problem with hymns and instruments could come to a Church of Christ service and they had no problem singing a cappella, but the Church of Christer could not go to a Baptist church and sing the same hymns while the piano played, because that would be a sin, and sins send you to hell.
I don't know if this is a tolerance issue or not. The liberal may be tolerant, but the conservative may be committed. Also, as in the music illustration, if a Church of Christer sings with a piano playing and if that is a sin they risk going to hell, but the liberal does not see it as sin and so they risk nothing.
It is always easy to do stuff if there is no risk associated with it.
I realize that I have upset some people with my skeptical writing, but I am trying to remind myself that they are making heaven and hell decisions, and that has something to do with how they respond to me.
I want you to know that IF I have been out of line, I am sorry. I do admire this article. Peace be with you, and may you and your family be plagued with health, happiness, and prosperity.
Thanks Tex. Being contentious is not a good thing for sure. I'll admit that I haven't read all your articles... being extremely dyslexic means I only have so many words that I can read in a day before it all becomes a blur. Maybe you should apologize to the ones you've offended?
You are absolutely correct, heaven and hell decisions are to be taken seriously and I appreciate that you can give some latitude there.
Following God's Word is good for the soul. It makes you happier, wiser, healthier..
It isn't about being tolerant or intolerant. It is a philosophy that is larger than we are. God wants us to be happy and healthy and this is why he has given us a code of ethics to live by. We are to follow them otherwise Jesus had died in vain.
The Bible is a spiritual window to Truth, and it is a beautiful thing..He has given us this magnificent insight to answer all of our questions. I am forever in awe. It isn't a prison sentence, but the opposite.
Yes, Jennifer. And the code of ethics in the Bible says that the second greatest commandment (second only to loving the Lord with all your heart, mind, soul and strength) is to love your neighbor as yourself. In this command from Jesus there's no distinction between loving someone who is a believer and someone who is a sinner.
» left by Jackie from Idaho (343 days 5 hours ago.)
Great Article! How can you be a light to others if your always hid! As a Christian with lots of friends that do not know the Lord yet, there has been no greater reward than to introduce them and watch the changes God makes in their lives.
If I were to only hanh out with other Christians, what good would my testimony be? To share my past and my present and my future (Heaven) with my friends and watch them in amazement when they realize I use to be worse than most people, and see how God has changed me ,opens many doors.
The Bible is the word of God..It is the good news of which Jesus spoke. The good news is that we can be saved from our own selves if we follow him and his commandments. It isn't okay to live a life of sin. There are limits. These limits have not been created by men, but by God. We just need to realise that they are for our own well being.
Bruce, thanks for making some excellent points. We can't win anyone to Christ by staying away from them or treating them like aliens from another planet. Jesus associated with sinners more than he did with the so-called "good" people, as you pointed out. And the great thing was that he was able to do that without participating in their sins. He was a positive influence on them, but they were not a negative influence on him. Indeed, we should follow his example, i.e., loving sinners unconditionally, while still hating their sins. It can be done.
Thanks Terry. Good point... I guess I assume everyone understands that I'm not saying Jesus participated in the sinning with the sinners, but maybe that's too much of an assumption to make.
Some of the most ungodly people I've known respect me because I didn't compromise my morals when I spent time with them.
Yes, as long as the don't become a negative influence. Probably not the best idea for a new Christian to do though. It's bad enough that society thinks you've been brainwashed. As if that wasn't pressuring enough. And as long as they don't hate us for becoming a Christian. I know people who will literally not even speak to me anymore because I've become "one of them"
Bruce, I have been waiting for someone to write this article for a very long time. If I had tried, it wouldn’t even be close. Thank you.
“If I'm not reading too much between the lines, I believe this is how Christians should relate to sinners”.
I am a SINNER, and I am also a strong believer and follower (until death) of Jesus Christ.I assumed one can be both.Now I know why I find it very hard to relate to people who call themselves Christians.I am a sinner!
“Jesus laughed at their jokes and told a few of His own. I think He spent some of His time with his arms propped under His chin as He listened to these people in intently, and He sat there, thinking to Himself, "I really love these people."
This is exactly what many Christians do NOT do (and I have found a majority of them incapable of doing). If all someone talks to me is Bible quotes and Christian jargon, tell me why my curious mind would want to hang around someone who doesn’t teach me anything that I don’t already know?If someone doesn’t want (or even tries) to listen to my different views, philosophy, life experiences, etc. tell me why I would want to hang around someone who thinks they know everything and embody “righteousness” itself?If someone talks Bible talk, but their actions and reactions consistently say something else, tell me why I should think their way is the way I want to follow? If someone is so "overly protective" of Christianity, tell me why I shouldn’t think that Christianity isn’t all that it’s prepped up to be? These are all the things that go on inside a "sinner's" mind.
Loving even “sinners” they way Jesus does it, is a commandment, not a choice. I’ve found that the very few times I have loved like Jesus, I don’t have to "preach to sinners”, people are drawn to the “Jesus in me”.I believe that’s how it should be. Just my belief… :-)
Thanks Christine. I've been waiting for someone to write this article
for a long time too... I guess I got tired of waiting. You're right
of course, loving those around us is not a choice, it is a command. Respond to this comment
Excellent mental and spiritual exercise in your article that all Christians should practice before acting like, what I call, "spiritual terrorists"!
I am a Christian with degrees in Pastoral Counseling and Christian Theology and it pains me to see how evangelism is practiced today. Where is such practice in the Bible?
We know that Paul and his team evangelized the known world in about 15 years but we do not know all the details.
Paul did say he was "all things to all people for the sake of the Gospel." This indicates to me that he, like Jesus, made a point to mingle with "sinners" in order for them to hear the Good News.
What is even more disappointing is how the "church" has twisted scripture to fit their view, so much so that many have become stumbling blocks keeping people from being saved.
Man has taken the purity of the Word and made it to fit man's own image for man's own purposes. Jesus reminds us of this when he says to some co-called Christians - "Get away from me you evil doers! I never knew you!"
We are to be walking and talking representatives of Christ on earth. We should always ask - "What would Jesus do?" before we browbeat a sinner in His name.
Thanks for your comments Jim. I think it is true that the more
confident a person is in what they know, the more comfortable they are
around people who might disagree with them.
While the older I get the less I know for certain, those things I do
know for certain mean that I am free to be gracious to those around me,
and become "all things to all people for the sake of the Gospel."
Well done Bruce. What if Christians were known as lovers of people rather than spewers of venom? Love 'em when they least expect it. World changing stuff. Steve
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