October 25, 2007
I read some time ago an interesting quote from Christian author Jamie Buckingham. To the best of my recollection it said, “The problem with Christians is that nobody wants to kill them anymore."
I had to reread it several times, firstly to make sure I had read it correctly, secondly to make certain to understand what the writer was saying.
There is a great deal of truth in that statement at least in western society. You see, it is pretty much impossible to tell the "average" professing Christian from the rest of the world. Some live the same way the world does. Some watch the same movies the world does. Some marriages and families break up as frequently as the rest of the world. Some are just as likely to drink, gamble and sleep around as their non-believing neighbors. By and large there is little to set us apart.
We are called to be in the world but not of it. Yet, when I think of some Christians I am reminded of the Star Trek characters, the "Borg" who assimilate everyone and everything that comes into their path. We have been assimilated. Satan knows that if he can assimilate the church it will be powerless to stop him. We are told resistance is futile, and we go along to be seen as "nice" or "tolerant".
There was a point in time when Christians were killed because they stood for something radically counter-cultural (and still do in many parts of the world). Christianity is at its course totally counter to the world but you would be hard pressed to know it by our actions. Now I know that there are many exceptions, but if you took a survey of the people in Christian churches in your community on a Saturday there would be very little, if anything, that sets them apart from the community at large.
That is a tragedy. Actually, it is more than a tragedy; it is a mockery of Christ on the cross. It might even be a blasphemy.
Now I am not suggesting that Christians go out of there way to be annoying or to be so pious that we cannot even relate in any way to non-believers. I am suggesting that there should be something that makes us stand out.
Matthew 5:13-16 NIV
"You are the salt of the earth. But if the salt loses its saltiness, how can it be made salty again? It is no longer good for anything, except to be thrown out and trampled by men. You are the light of the world. A city on a hill cannot be hidden. Neither do people light a lamp and put it under a bowl. Instead they put it on its stand, and it gives light to everyone in the house. In the same way, let your light shine before men, that they may see your good deeds and praise your Father in heaven.
Salt irritates. If you have ever exposed a fresh cut to salty water you know how much it can sting. Light can hurt. If you have been in a totally dark room for a while and someone shines a bright light in your eyes you know the uncomfortable feeling.
We need to be salt and light. We are called to be different. Not different because we are self-righteous and "holier" than everyone else. Different because we truly love God, people and have a life transforming truth to share. Different and irritating because we stand for something and we walk our talk.
If the world looked at your faith walk, would it know you are a Christian? Would the world want to silence you because you are so different than they are?
If someone watched you and your daily routines; Is there anything that sets you apart from the world?
Well don't forget there is someone watching you; Is he convinced you are different from the world?
Darrel Mason