Ch. 6 - Conversion That Transforms
Sider writes,
Right relationship with God inevitably also involves more just, loving relationships with sisters and brothers in the church and the larger human family.
Is this inevitably true, as Sider says? Consider the Crusades, the Inquisition, slavery, the Holocaust, the Rwandan genocide, and various other manifestations of evil that Christians as a whole did not immediately confront, though they were at least present, if not directly involved in perpetuating these evils. Were these Christians all out of right relationship with God? Is it possible we have blind spots as well? How do we become aware of these sins - personal and social - that go under our radar?
Sider suggests that particularly in the megachurch movement, we tend to want a “seeker’s sense of need to define what they seek from Jesus.” If their sense of need defines sin, however, and they are never challenged beyond that, big blind spots will be left unexposed. We have to insist, as Sider does, that “the Scriptures play the decisive role in defining the sin from which converts must repent.” After all,
Rather than making it easy to join his circle of disciples, Jesus made it exceedingly costly… telling potential converts that there are major areas where accepting Christ will demand fundamental change will produce a church that could change the world.
I know it is always a pain in the butt to be convicted, but consider these hard-hitting words for a moment:
In Western countries, at least, the greater danger today is cheap grace, not exhorbitant grace. Our churches are full of people who somehow made a decision for Christ, or joined the church without any clear understanding or commitment to submit their total life to Jesus as Lord. The result is a materialistic, sexually disobedient church that is so culturally conformed to the dominant values of Hollywood and Wall Street that one can hardly tell the difference between the church and the world. Surely our desperate need in this kind of society is for Jesus’ blunt, convicting word to the rich young inquirer.
Is this an exaggeration? To what extent is it true? What can be done to turn this situation around? Do we really want it turned around?
Incidentally, Sider wrote another book called The Scandal of the Evangelical Conscience, in which he asks why Christians are living just like the rest of the world. So if you are not thoroughly convicted already, you might want to pick it up.
Those thoughts are very convicting. I am finding that I am very selective in which sins I focus on. Sadly it seems to coincide more to my upbringing and strengths then to scripture.
It seems to me, however, that much of what you talk about is the age old struggle between obeying and grace both being central Christian characteristics. I agree that for the most part the struggle in our church is our blatant acceptance of sin. I know that is often mine.
However, my struggle is that as I start taking Jesus’ commands more seriously I almost immediately get mad at others for not taking them as seriously as I am. I quickly become this self-righteous, angry, bitter person killing myself about things that I am sure that God really is not that impressed with.
I have practically no ability to be joyfully obedient. That is a bit hyperbolic but not much. I do not know how to change that.
That I think is the real issue we need a heart transformation that creates in us a desire, a passion to be obedient. That is tough because I am pretty sure we must be actively involved and yet we cannot work ourselves there.
I also think we need a heart transformation; as sinful human beings, we need God to change our hearts in order to become passionately obedient to Him. As our hearts are transformed we become sensitive to the sins within our hearts and lives and are convicted through the Scriptures and the Holy Spirit.
This is not the whole picture though, for God did not create us to live in isolation, but in community.
Everyone has blind spots,and the most loving thing to do is to point them out that we may encourage one another in growing closer to Christ. This is a hard thing to do, and I fall short of doing it as I should. I also get frustrated at times, like Pete said, when others don’t take things as seriously and that is when I need to be reminded of God’s patience. What I have learned, though, as my blind spots have been pointed out (which hurts greatly, but is the most beneficial), and as I have read through the Scriptures is that the one pointing out someone else’s sin must first take care of his/her own sin at the cross. As that person realizes the sinfulness of his/her own heart and is struck by the awesome grace of God, the confrontation will be done in a humble and loving way.
Another thing that is of great importance in addressing sin, is that of prayer. In Colossians 1:9-12, Paul speaks of constantly praying for the people of Colossae that they may walk in a manner worthy of the Lord. God is the only One who can change hearts, and we must bring others to Him in prayer that they may not be taken captive by the enemy and the deceitfullness of sin.
As I write, I am convicted of how I fall short of what God calls us to do as the body of Christ(Col. 3:12-16), for we are united as we are bound to Christ.
I am sorry to have written so much, but these are simply some thoughts to stir up conversation.