The Stagnation of Christian Self-Segregation and its Solution
Our Lord said, “I pray not that thou shouldest take them out of the world, but that thou shouldest keep them from the evil. . . . As thou hast sent me into the world, even so have I also sent them into the world” (John’s Gospel 17:15, 18 KJV).
The setting of this moment is rocked with intensity. He’s about to go to the Cross and
there’s a desperate edge to his prayer for the Twelve. Jesus’ intercession is keenly focused on his disciples, that they might know his and the Father’s passionate love for them, and that this love would be ‘in them’ even as Christ is ‘in them’. ‘In them’ – think of that. What is happening is that, by beholding his glory, they have been made perfect in ‘oneness’ with the Father and the Son. The effect of all this would acutely impact humanity: “that the world may know that thou hast sent me, and hast loved them (i.e. the world), as thou hast loved me” (v. 23). This is astonishing: God loves the
world like he loves his only begotten Son? Yes, and they will know. And you’re not in this alone.
Upon praying these words, Jesus deliberately set in motion his betrayal, his Cross, and his death. But Sunday morning was coming. His last words are weighty and carry a far-reaching trust we must not miss: “[I pray] for them also which shall believe on me through their word” (v. 20). This means that the salvation of others is entrusted to our word, our being sent, and our acting on that. To expand upon our mission from God in v.20, imagine a young man working on his lap top in search of employment. He’s got a powerful search engine producing almost too much info, even though he’s narrowed down what he wants. Then he stumbles upon this ‘wanted’ listing:
“Power and Light Company seeks an individual willing to catch our vision. You may be very young or old, male or female, high achiever or failure, but teachable. Your training period will be on-going, as you act on what you learn. Your enterprise is to represent Me and my team where I send you. Due to the nature of our business, I do not hire, but I reward well. Our benefits plan is incomparable. Your involvement will depend first and foremost on close contact with Me, your teacher. You will be speaking to others about what you will learn from Me, but not only in what you
say but in demonstration of what I offer. The importance of your role will have far reaching effects on people, even on nations. Should this be easy? But you will be debriefed every day as needed. You will go into hostile settings at times, and be considered a threat. You will take risks. You may not survive, but I will be with you. For more info, contact: Code – Matthew Mark Luke John and their affiliates. Should you accept your mission, use the secure communications network I have provided
(Light-works), non-internet, not on the web. Simply say: ‘Yes Jesus.’ I will be in touch with you.”
Our Segregation. In my estimation, the life you’d die for cannot be entrusted to you or
anyone to else who refuses to see the value of Jesus, and what he made available. Like the Apostles who abandoned their fishing boats, if we do not run with reckless abandon after the one who said, ‘Follow Me!’ then we are not worthy of him. So, you are the one, you’re on, and not another. But if we like the comfort, the warmth, of hanging out with the Body of Christ too much, we can choose the safety of seclusion with them rather than the risks of Christ’s mission. We become afraid of the world. If we only listen to Christian music and only have Christian friends, we disobey Christ, who has sent us into the world. We get petrified, stiff, and unable to relate to the lost. We stew in our own juices. We rot. We get bored. We don’t even realize that our first love is gone. And now, now we reside in a ghetto and tell ourselves it’s good.
God’s Solution. Be sent into the world by Christ. Pack your bags, i.e., ready yourself to share Jesus’ life that’s in you. Be intentional about this. First pray and ask God for his heart for the world. Ask to see the face of Christ. Then let him do that. This change of heart and focus doesn’t come from our own disciplines, but from communing with the Lord. Next, let the Lord determine how this transformation will happen. For me, it happened in a particular communion supper, and from watching revival services in Toronto, Canada, and from listening to Bill Johnson messages. Let it happen. Let the Lord absolutely grip your soul. The lost will be able to tell that and will listen.
Now I look for chances to share my faith. I’m probably an embarrassment to others. But every time I do speak of Jesus, I enter into a revival happening right on the spot. I am the one who gets so lifted by obeying Jesus, and that cannot be overstated. You can go at this so many ways. But what I did was go to the Book of Acts. In my opinion, nearly all the messages there center on two things: what does the Cross of Christ mean? And what does the Resurrection of Jesus mean? It is the most important message to the human race. I tell people, The Cross means: the value of your soul to God, the worth of your soul to him! (My arms are spread wide open like Jesus on the Cross). For it is written, “For God so loved the world that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish but have everlasting life” (John 3:16. I usually don’t tell the reference). This takes about twenty seconds. And I say, The Resurrection of Jesus bodily from the dead means: That neither your sin, nor Satan, nor the grave itself has any claim on you! For it is written, “[Jesus] was delivered for our offences, and was raised again for our justification” (Rom. 4:25 but I usually don’t mention the reference). Maybe twenty seconds again. See, you only have to be brave for twenty seconds! I make my message simple, short, and profound with emphasis. I jump right into it, not waiting for some perfect moment that never comes. I may interrupt other conversations at the gym, or step into silent moments, with something like this: The news is crazy, but the Good News hasn’t changed, which is, ‘The Cross means the value . . . .’ Or I might say at the bank, ‘I’m learning that the Resurrection of Jesus means, that neither . . . . The presence of the Lord is staggering as people
just stare into your eyes as you speak. Then I might say, ‘Now that’s a nice Day!’ and leave. Boldness and trembling at once? Yes, but plant your seed. It is the solution for getting out of your ghetto.
Tim Halverson
lionsheadcafe.com 