After returning from living overseas and having a GREAT, authenic first century church experience with Jesus, I returned to find a lot of chains on the American church. When sharing the message of Jesus with people from a different religion...our approach was not to say, "here is our set of rules, you should exchange yours for ours." Our methods and strategies were to love people where they were at and watch Jesus change them. And you know what... IT WORKED! Jesus showed up daily and spoke into peoples lives. Our team deeply celebrated the little victories in our students... when they realized that cheating on tests were not a good idea... when they had a dream about the Lord. And it brings me to the thought of why aren't those things celebrated in a similar way in America....
In Central Asia, when a student says that they feel like Jesus doesn't want them to cheat anymore... we're soooo excited! we're praising God for His revelation in their lives. Because their way of living, the corruption and bribery is so thick in their culture that this is a true revelation from the Lord.
In America, when a student says that they feel like Jesus doesn't want them to cheat anymore... we think (whether we say them or not).. what a moron!... why did it take you that long to figure it out? Hello? Are you in there? And if the student feels any sense of that condemnation...or if it comes up as a later topic or accountability... that student begins to feel secluded and drawn apart.
When infact...although culturally different senarios, they have the potential for the same victory. How we as leaders, mentors, disciplers deal with counseling others through life or sin issues. We must be aware of the potential long term impact for growth. Everyone has potential, it's whether they put it to action (and how we as leaders respond to their potential & action) that makes the difference of their future and their future walk in the Lord.
As a church...refering to individual believers...not buildings... we must be aware of the concept of "Keep your chains to yourself: personal convictions is not always universal commands." How you dress, isn't necessarily how someone else should dress. What you believe about certain cultural things in America are not always what others should believe. It is up to the Holy Spirit to speak into each individuals life and to grow each individual. It is your responsibility to love people where they are at and watch the Lord change them.
There are certain things, or sins that are cut and dry in the Bible... this is only one example of scripture for that...Galations 5:19-21
"The acts of the sinful nature are obvious: sexual immorality, impurity and debauchery; idolatry and witchcraft; hatred, discord, jealousy, fits of rage, selfish ambition, dissensions, factions and envy; drunkenness, orgies, and the like. I warn you as I did before, that those who live like this will not inherit the kingdom of God."
These are "obvious"-ly unacceptable to the Lord. But a lot of times when people are coming to know the Lord they may be believers but not yet sanctified. Example, I expect a lot more out of the woman who is active in the church than I do the one who's on her 5th Sunday in her life. Does this mean that one is more spiritual than the other... no. It means that the one who's been to church the longer "should" have spent more time being transformed by the Lord.
Please note that I did not just say that she should have spent more time being transformed by the church... the church doesn't do it... the Lord does. And all of these things mentioned in Galations may all be happening in one persons life. Our job is to love them where they are at in the Lord and watch God change them. One day out of the blue they might say, you know, that ouija board in the closet kind of turns my stomach... it is at that point where you have an open door to explain why it turns their stomach and help them to move to the next level. Storming into their home and saying... you gotta get rid of that ouija board, it's the devil. In my opinion... lol ... is also appropriate but different people have different venue into their lives and if you have not ESTABLISHED a relationship with that person to be speaking into their lives in that way...then it could scar them worse than help them.
When I speak about personal convictions not always being universal commands. This could be anything from what people wear/ should wear. We deal with this more in the girl world than in the guy world. But one of my students last year wore really short skirts and belly shirts. She was a new believer and LOVED the Lord. The worst thing that I could have done as a representative of Jesus were to say, you know you shouldn't be wearing this or that it's not appropriate...Jesus wouldn't like it... instead. I didn't force... how I felt in my mind over onto my students. I didn't roll my eyes, I didn't have conversations about apparrel with them... because they weren't in a place to discuss it... they were brand new believers... and there are other things that are MORE IMPORTANT THAN CLOTHING!
So what happens when they are not brand new believers and your trying to breech this area or category. A lot of times people as leaders or disciplers attempt to teach them what they've been taught instead of stirring the Holy Spirit in them. What? It's easier for someone to explain what's right and wrong based on what they have been taught and their personal preferences than to teach the person how to ask God for answers and hear them theirself.
Example: you should wear this... this and this... but not that cause it shows too much shoulder and you wouldn't want to cause anyone to stumble. Is an example of a personal conviction rather than a universal command. The universal command stated in Galations that is applicable is "purity". The right thing to do is to have discussion on purity...what do they think it means... what does it look like to them. Allow Jesus to work on them... not you! Keep your chains to yourself... we have too much potential to become legalistic and put people under unneccesary captivity instead of inspiring them to allow the Lord to transform them into a realistic freedom.
Our students overseas experienced freedom. We had muslims jumping up and down excited in worship... and they weren't believers yet. Here we have Christians who can barely bring themselves to clap. We must take the time to be transformed by GOD. We must model this.
If a girl comes up to you at church and she's barely wearing any clothes, covered in unnatural haircolors and tatoos... smile... wrap your arms around them and say, "I'm so glad to see you today." Don't roll your eyes or be repulsed... see them the way God sees them. Victors for the kingdom...future soul winners. If you can strip all the drama away from working with people... Jesus just wants us to Love him and to love one another.
And you never know... they may look different... but they might have a tighter walk with Jesus than you do. Have a merciful spirit...you'll be blessed for it.
Keep your chains to yourself... not your love...
Personal convictions are great when they are your own and you are the only one with the right or ability to constantly reevaluate them for your own life...and they become chains when you put your expectations and convictions on others.
Never replace your responsibility to hear from God personally with just hearing from/through someone else.
No comments:
Post a Comment