"We have developed a 'them' and 'us' culture with two distinct categories - saints and sinners, ins and outs, saved and unsaved. We have separated what we refer to as 'evangelism' from 'discipleship'. We have designated two different takes for two different audiences and using two languages. And on that basis we have convinced ourselves that we need two messages - the first for the outs to get them in, and the other for the ins to make sure they stay there." - The Lost Message of Jesus by Steve Chalke & Alan Mann
Labels can be dangerous because it can lead to wrong conclusions and formulaic thinking. People are complex, and so are their spiritual journeys. Sometimes we like to catalog people based on their sins and 'conversion' experiences. Some people can tell you the first time they met Jesus. Many others gradually came to know and love Him with no concrete salvation date. And while each of our experiences may be different, the truth is the same. Truth has a name, and His name is Jesus.
I am increasingly coming to believe that there is one message for everyone. And it is this. You need to know Jesus. And if you have already met Him, you need to get to know Him better. It's all an issue of proximity to Christ. What direction are you headed? Are you going toward Christ or away from Him?
Here is just a short list of people who need to know Jesus. And for anybody that I left out, include yourself too.
Drug addicts, sober people, judges, convicts, heterosexuals, homosexuals, men, women, bikers, preps, dog lovers, cat lovers, luddites, techno geeks, macho guys, wimps, porn stars, preachers, liberals, conservatives, short, tall, fat, skinny, rich, poor, leaders, followers, people with rhythm, people without rhythm, rednecks, Ivy League types, smokers, non-smokers, health food fanatics, fast food junkies, youth, senior citizens, celebrities, nobodies, porn addicts, theology hacks, gossips, truth tellers....
Got Jesus?
If you would like to talk more about how Jesus can radically transform your life, please e-mail me at chaille@organicfaith.com.
