A Christian Ought To Look Like A Christian... yeeesh!
A few people have asked me for the name of the book I read from during Sunday's message (8/28). It was "I Am A Fundamentalist" by Dr. John R. Rice. The section I shared recorded an incident some 35 years ago when a "couple of hippies with long hair" made a decision to follow Jesus in a church service. Dr. Rice went on to explain that in addition to making a profession of faith in Jesus, these young men needed to go get a haircut because "a Christian ought to look like a Christian". I knew when I decided to include it to illustrate a point that it would get a laugh. And it did!
Dr. John Rice was a respected theologian, author and editor. In this book and many of his other writings there is a lot of good stuff - perhaps even some great stuff. The problem for me is that I find it hard to see past the excess burdens he attaches to the good news. I'm afraid that as believers in Christ we often come across this way to others. I'm afraid that my personal views about someone's lifestyle, the choices they've made, the vices they are wrestling with, the political or social views they espouse, or whatever, might prove an obstacle in my sharing the good news about Jesus with them. Don't think for a moment I am saying that there is no such thing as right and wrong. Simply hear me say that there are times when the church can look a lot more like Pharisees than Christ - as if it is ours to discern who is a candidate to recieve God's grace.
The point I was illustrating... in Acts 8:35 Philip shares 'the good news of Jesus' with the Ethiopian seeker. It's my prayer to introduce folks to Jesus and let Jesus take care of the rest. What do you think?
Dr. John Rice was a respected theologian, author and editor. In this book and many of his other writings there is a lot of good stuff - perhaps even some great stuff. The problem for me is that I find it hard to see past the excess burdens he attaches to the good news. I'm afraid that as believers in Christ we often come across this way to others. I'm afraid that my personal views about someone's lifestyle, the choices they've made, the vices they are wrestling with, the political or social views they espouse, or whatever, might prove an obstacle in my sharing the good news about Jesus with them. Don't think for a moment I am saying that there is no such thing as right and wrong. Simply hear me say that there are times when the church can look a lot more like Pharisees than Christ - as if it is ours to discern who is a candidate to recieve God's grace.
The point I was illustrating... in Acts 8:35 Philip shares 'the good news of Jesus' with the Ethiopian seeker. It's my prayer to introduce folks to Jesus and let Jesus take care of the rest. What do you think?
4 Comments:
I heard Chuck Swindoll say once, "By all means, believe like fundamentalists. But for goodness sake, don't LOOK like one!"
Grace. We're saved by grace alone.
But the fundamgelicalism that I grew up in rated me on so much else. I craved approval and so built a life of "faith" built on outward appearances. I kept my hair (relatively) short. I didn't listen to any loud evil rock music. I disdained bell bottom jeans. I respected my parents.
But I did those things more to gain approval than out of any love of Christ. Those things crowded out my love of Christ so often.
I admit that stink of legalism clings to my spiritual life even today. Imagine, going to a church where (gasp) rock music is played!
Rice's comment is deadly. I personally believe many I went to church with don't know Jesus... But they sure knew how to keep their skirts at the right length and wear collared shirts only.
Grace is radical. It's cut up every conception I've had of a spiritual life, and continues to do it every day.
Legalism is deadly.
By Higher Up, Further In, at 9/01/2005 10:59 PM
OHHHhhhh, yeah, and I wouldn't listen to Second Chapter of Acts, Phil Keaggy or Keith Green cuz I was holy!
And so the amazing work that God was doing in my own generation passed me by.
Lord spare me from doing this to my kids, to this generation. Root out every hint of this in me so they (and I) may approach you in humility, knowing that all my short hair and perfect attitudes... are trash (filthy rags). Only YOU are holy.
By Higher Up, Further In, at 9/01/2005 11:03 PM
Great thoughts daven! I especially love the Swindoll quote, "...by all means, don't look like one."
My early Christian walk, too, was characterized by restrictions - what kind of music to avoid; what kind of television to avoid; what kind of clothing to avoid; what kind of friends to avoid - and looking back I want to avoid being one of those voices to future generations.
By Darin, at 9/02/2005 9:59 AM
Well, I'm glad you didn't stop with the first paragraph, or Jesse would be in big trouble. and since I'm his hairdresser I'd be in trouble too.
By Lisa Andreasen, at 9/03/2005 1:06 PM
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