Responding to Suffering

I started reading a book by Jonathan Falwell entitled One Great Truth: Finding Your Answers to Life (New York: Howard Books, 2008). The book is a very candid examination of Jonathan’s struggles as he dealt with the death of his father, Jerry Falwell, and stepping into his father’s shoes as the Senior Pastor of Thomas Road Baptist Church. Jonathan applies principles from the life of Joshua as he assumed Moses’ position. Jonathan leads the reader through a personal journey to what he calls “one great truth,” that we must rely on God to supply every need.

As I was reading through the book, I came across this quote concerning our response to the challenges we face:

Our response to these challenges is what defines us. We have a choice at these pivotal times in our lives: (1) we can retreat within ourselves and let grief overwhelm us and prevent us from feeling God’s tender touch, or (2) we can allow God to carry us to greater heights as a result of the suffering we experience. (page 48, One Great Truth)

I think that quote really encapsulates the issue of responding to suffering in our lives. Suffering will either drive us from God or to Him. How am I responding?

Concerning this thing I pleaded with the Lord three times that it might depart from me. And He said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for My strength is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore most gladly I will rather boast in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me. (2 Corinthians 12:8-9 NKJV)

Called To Be An Irritant?

The other day I was talking to a friend about some stats from LifeWay Research that Ed Stetzer shared at the Innovate Church conference. Ed shared that 40% of unchurched Americans stated that “Christians get on their nerves.”

My Friend responded to the stats by stating that this is what Jesus called us to. He felt that unchurched Americans were irritated because they are under the conviction of the Holy Spirit. “We are called to salt and light to our culture. Of course that will irritate people.”

I really struggled with that conversation. Somehow I feel that the Christians have lost touch with their mission and the true meaning of being “salt and light.” We have bought a line of thinking that Jesus has called us to be an irritant.

How did we get to this point? Here are three observations:

1.    We have been on a “war footing” for far too long

Let’s be honest with ourselves. The “culture wars” have been ugly. And the ugliest part of the “wars” has come from Christians. I expect non-Christians to be ugly. But it is really disturbing to watch ugliness in the name of Jesus. The fact that we would justify that ugliness under the banner of “being salt and light” is incomprehensible.

2.    We have lost touch with the reality of Grace

I believe very strongly that we have lost touch with the reality of the Grace that was shown to us by Jesus Christ. When I look at non-Christians, I am overwhelmed with an awareness of God’s mercy that was shown to me. I am also aware that unless a person comes to Christ, they will continue in their sin and ultimately to eternal destruction. This reality results not is condemnation of a person’s actions, but rather a greater understanding that people need Jesus. I believe that this is missing in much of the church’s interaction with unbelievers and the culture today.

3.    Practically we are no longer salt and light.

When you look at what Jesus says concerning being salt and light, His emphasis is on our good works that glorify God (Matt. 5:16). At the heart of being salt and light is having a life that stands apart from the rest of the world. The problem in the church today is the fact that the only difference between the lifestyles of unbelievers and believers is church attendance (Read unchristian by David Kinnaman & Gabe Lyons). There is virtually no difference in our moral actions from unbelievers. Yet too often we stand in a place of moral superiority as we judge unbelievers. We are no longer salt and light.

Moral superiority and being a Christ-follower are two different things. Both will cause irritation to the unchurched. Let’s make sure that we are being an irritant for the right reasons.

“You are the light of the world. A city that is set on a hill cannot be hidden. Nor do they light a lamp and put it under a basket, but on a lampstand, and it gives light to all who are in the house. Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works and glorify your Father in heaven. (Matthew 5:14-16 NKJV)

A Definition of Faith

Being a light sleeper, I often find myself awake at 2:00 or 4:00 in the morning. I have learned to take this time to pray or meditate upon the truths of the scriptures. Last week I was up at 4:00 a.m., wrestling with the reality of faith. While I was thinking about what faith is, this definition came to my mind:

Faith is a belief in, a trust in and a commitment to the revealed word of God in spite of hindrances, obstacles and circumstances that seem otherwise.

Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen. (Hebrews 11:1 NKJV)