Christ's Alternative to Armed Revolt, 6

Continued from "Christ's Alternative to Armed Revolt, 5"

But Jesus called them unto him, and said, Ye know that the princes of the Gentiles exercise dominion over them, and they that are great exercise authority upon them. But it shall not be so among you: but whosoever will be great among you, let him be your minister; And whosoever will be chief among you, let him be your servant: Even as the Son of man came not to be ministered unto, but to minister, and to give his life a ransom for many. (Matthew 20:25-28)

And whosoever shall compel thee to go a mile, go with him twain. (Matthew 5:41)

These two passages not only lay down basic principles of Christian ethics and interpersonal relationships, but they also reflect the principal avenues to success in the free market. Those who best serve their customers' needs AND who exceed the expectations of the ones they serve will excel in the marketplace.

Put these two principles from Jesus' teaching together with the one I dealt with in the previous entry -- let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven -- and you have the recipe not only for profit, but for positive influence in the surrounding community.

Excellence in service to neighbors means outstanding good works that will grab the attention of those around you. This has an added advantage of preventing two big problems in churches today.

One of the problems involves the adoption of a ghetto mentality. Churches that have this mentality realize that they must keep separate from the world, and their main cultural emphasis centers around what they don't do.

Sadly, this essentially cuts them off from contact with those Christ called them to win. Their attempts at evangelism amount to brief expeditions for which they arm themselves with leaflets and the invitation, "Come to Jesus and become a part of our ghetto." An offer that the great majority can and does refuse.

The other problem involves wholesale immersion into the prevailing pagan culture. Churches that promote this feel a burning need to be relevant.

These brethren see relevance in terms of adopting all the trappings of pop culture. They cry, in effect, "See, we can be shallow, crass morons for Jesus. You can, too." 

Rather than take either of these paths, Jesus calls us to disciple nations and transform their culture by teaching them to observe all He commanded. One indispensable means to this end is servanthood.

Feed the hungry, teach the illiterate to read, liberate the alcoholic and the addict, protect the weak and helpless from the orcs, be a companion to the lonely widow, visit the sick and infirm -- all these and more represent opportunities for the church community to reach out and begin to disciple those around them.

Therefore to him that knoweth to do good, and doeth it not, to him it is sin. (James 4:17)