I just wrote this for an online course with ReachGlobal. I thought I'd share it.
He wants my all...
Matthew 28:18-20, a passage we all know well…”All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.”
James 1:22 says, “Do not merely listen to the word and so deceive yourselves. Do what it says.”
In Matthew 25:34 – 40 Jesus states, “Then the King will say to those on his right, ‘Come, you who are blessed by my Father; take your inheritance, the kingdom prepared for you since the creation of the world. For I was hungry and you gave me something to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you invited me in, I needed clothes and you clothed me, I was sick and you looked after me, I was in prison and you came to visit me.’ Then the righteous will answer him, ‘Lord, when did we see you hungry and feed you, or thirsty and give you something to drink? When did we see you a stranger and invite you in, or needing clothes and clothe you? When did we see you sick or in prison and go to visit you?’
The King will reply, ‘I tell you the truth whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers of mine, you did for me.’”
Matthew 22:36 – 40 The Pharisees ask Jesus, “Teacher, which is the greatest commandment in the Law?” Jesus replied: ‘Love the Lord you God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind. ‘This is the first and greatest commandment. And the second is like it: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’ All the Law and Prophets hang on these two commandments.’”
Matthew 23:1 – 4 says, “Then Jesus said to the crowds and to his disciples: ‘The teachers of the law and the Pharisees sit in Moses’ seat. So you must obey them and do everything they tell you. But do not do what they do, for they do not practice what they preach. They tie up heavy loads and put them on men’s shoulders, but they themselves are not willing to lift a finger to move them.’”
I’ll respond to these quotes one at a time:
"There are a number of mission leaders, particularly Americans, who are frightened that we want missionaries to give themselves to social-political work, which is none of their business and would distract them from their primary role in evangelism. I have no wish for missionaries to change their role. There is a real need for evangelists who are not engaged in holistic mission because their calling is evangelism. I don't criticize Billy Graham because he simply preaches the gospel and doesn't engage in social-political work—well, he does a bit, but not much—any more than we don't criticize the Good Samaritan for not preaching the gospel to the man assaulted by robbers. It's partly our existential situation that determines what we concentrate on, partly our vocation. Everybody cannot do everything, as I keep saying to myself."
Rev. John Stott from in an interview in Christianity Today 9/5/03
We are each uniquely created in the image of God. We have different strengths, gifts, abilities and thus weaknesses as well. There are some things we are more naturally drawn to and bent towards. However, is it a fair question to ask, as I become more Christ like and reflect my creator, do I become more balanced? Can I be an evangelist who is also concerned about holistic ministry? I may still use much or most of my time to be an evangelist…but I cannot simply walk by a person in need. Isn’t this practicing what I preach? I’m not being critical of Billy Graham or others. I have great respect for him and am thankful for his part in building God’s Kingdom. However, practically speaking, isn’t both speaking God’s love and serving in His love commanded of me from scripture?
I think it’s a dangerous divide when we start separating the two.
"John Stott sees evangelism and social concern as equal (independent) partners: This seems to detach ministry too much from the ministry of the Word. It opens the possibility of it standing on its own without the preaching of the gospel. I propose something else, an asymmetrical, inseparable relationship. We must be ever wary of collapsing evangelism into deed ministry as the social gospel did, but loving deeds are an irreplaceable witness to the power and nature of God's grace, an irreplaceable testimony to the truth of the gospel."
Rev. Timothy Keller
I love that, ‘asymmetrical, inseparable relationship’! One without the other is empty and pretentious, no matter how you divide them. The Pharisees are an example of people who preached with words but didn’t back it up with their lifestyle. James talks explicitly for the balance of faith and deeds. In James 2:26 he gives us such a clear picture, “As the body without the Spirit is dead, so faith without deeds is dead.”
Backing up to the great commission in Matthew 28, if we all recall the many sermons preached on GO and make disciples… But, how would it transform each of our lives if we understood a clearer translation and the command to be, As you are going, make disciples, teaching others to obey… all under God’s authority! As I am going, as God brings people into my life, I am to speak God’s truth and love and show His love and truth as well. I am to support God’s ministry and build His Kingdom as I am going… As I am going makes going, sending, supporting with prayer and finances, telling people about what God has done and is doing in my life, and tangibly helping people with physical needs all fall into place. It’s completely all encompassing of my life. God is YAWEH. Everything that I could every need! In return, He wants my all. My all is that beautiful asymmetrical, inseparable relationship that Tim Keller refers to. It’s a true reflection of my King. It’s a daily struggle, but how can I respond any differently?
