As Christians in the 21st century, many of us (myself included) have been victims of a propaganda campaign. We’ve been taught, by and large, that because the “world” is evil, we must do our best to guard ourselves from it. While this is actually supported by Scripture (James 4:4), the practical effect of how this was taught to me over my 40 years has been to deeply ingrain a desire for separation from the world.
For someone of my temperament, this is especially dangerous. I’m already a fairly anti-social person. I tend to have few friends (by subconscious choice it appears) and do not like large gatherings (especially not social events like parties). I find relationships to be a huge effort and I’ve been historically unwilling to make the effort necessary to maintain any of my relationships except for those that are immediately present (with few exceptions).
A couple of years ago, my conscience was wakened by the revelation that the practical effects of a separatist mentality were wholly unbiblical. That my idea of holiness was actually arrogance masquerading as holiness. This was evident in my attitudes towards people in general. I typically thought of myself as right and most people who disagreed with me were simply deceived, disillusioned, or arrogant.
When Jesus told us not to be friends with the world, the goal of that teaching was not a general physical separation, but an attitudinal and spiritual one. We’re called to cleave to Him fully - to not rely upon the trappings of this life to sustain us. We are not to look to the world for our comfort, sustenance, or value. Our value should be centered in Christ and Christ alone. This subtle change in perspective was revolutionary for me.
It’s this mentality that enables missionaries in remote parts of the world to live and eat amongst those that might kill them (and in many cases did). It’s this mentality that drives people to walk amongst the poor and the diseased in order to bring them hope. It’s this mentality that drove the apostles to travel through horrendous environmental conditions and amidst great persecution to bring the Gospel to every nation, tribe, and tongue.
When we realize that our sustenance comes from God and our lives on this earth can only be meaningful when spent in His service - physical separation is no longer necessary. We can remove the agendas that drive us in our relationships because we are relying on His Spirit to drive the conversations and the motivations of those we encounter. We can live purposefully knowing that our actions are motivated, not by agendas but by a true love for Christ. This love for Christ always translates to a love for people. Not just His people, but for all people.
How do we reach our neighbors for Christ?
What you’ll find if you do this is that you’ll make some great friends and develop a bond with some neighbors. You’ll also be amazed at how God will use you to encourage your neighbors when they’re in a time of distress. While they may not fall on their knees and ask what they have to do to be saved, you may find that the seeds you plant in His name actually yield conversion over time.
Would you pray with me that we would see a revival of Christian involvement in our communities? That we would truly learn to love the people God has placed us near and we would begin the process of actually serving our neighbors rather than distancing ourselves from them?
Join in the community activities that surround you, take your kids Easter egg hunting in the neighborhood, open your house to trick-or-treaters rather than racing to the nearest Halloween alternative carnival, or organize a food drive in your neighborhood for the homeless. Be involved and recognize that in order to reason with people and truly share the love of Christ and the Gospel… you have to be in their midst. That also means you have to be ever more diligent to stay in His word and draw your sustenance from Christ.
Hopefully, you see in these writings a man who is staying The Course and pursuing The Path amidst the pitfalls and selfish ways of being a son of Adam. I pray earnestly that my writing would encourage some of you by showing you that this journey - though arduous and sometimes tragic - is a journey of great satisfaction. A satisfaction greater than our greatest imaginings. The trials and refining fire of tribulation are to be recognized as a small shadow of the suffering of our Savior so that we can rejoice, as Peter and the disciples did, to be counted worthy to suffer for the sake of the Name.