I Can't Stop Thinking About This Quote!

In an earlier post, I wrote a few thoughts about Dave & Jon Ferguson's book, Exponential. If you read my review, you can tell that I really like this book! (Click here to read my review)

There is one line that I have not been able to forget, though.  It is just so good!  In the process of welcoming new people to church, they try to (Are you ready, now?  Here comes a great quote!) "Treat everyone like a Christian until they realize they are not."  This has occupied my mind for weeks!

Dave and Jon Ferguson rightly describe following Jesus (being a Christian) as a lifestyle more than a label.  In chapter 3, they talk about the word discipleship and they talk about how they prefer to use the word apprentice instead, as it helps to give Jesus-followers an active sense of what it means to follow and obey Jesus.

When they describe the process of bringing others to faith in Jesus, they talk in terms of a process, or a series of steps taken over time, rather than a one-time decision.

As evangelicals, we have often called people to a decision - to that moment in which they repent from their sins and trust in Jesus.  Psychologically, we know that it is helpful to be able to remember a specific moment when we experienced something, so that we can mentally revisit the decision associated with the experience, and in a sense, re-experience our decision.  We often liken it to a wedding ceremony.  I know I am married because I remember my wedding.  But what about the person who knows they are following Jesus with everything in them, but who cannot identify a moment in which they decided to do so?  Can  conversion be a gradual process or a series of small steps taken over time?  The Ferguson's think so.

Whether they are right or not, their guidance is still good advice.  Even if we believe and insist on that remembered/datable "born again" experience, we can still admit that people rarely listen when we tell them (especially in a personal conversation) that they are not really Christians.  What if we just treated people like they were already Christians and allowed God to show them that they are not?  They Dave and Jon recognize that so many Americans believe that since they are good people they must be okay with God, and that if they attend a Christian church, then they must be Christians.  If it is the Holy Spirit's job to convict people of sin, they will recognize their non-Christian state only as much as they listen to him!  At that point, they will be ready to really hear the good news of Jesus and salvation by grace through faith!

What does this mean practically?  It means we invite everyone to join us on the journey of discipleship/apprenticeship of Jesus.  And when we see sinful behavior, we confront it as sinful behavior.  When we see immaturity, we confront it with a call to maturity.  When we see hurt and pain, we console.  When we see discouragement, we encourage!  And when the time is right, conversion will happen as our friends allow God to convert them.

Let's try it!  Let's treat everyone like Christians until they realize they are not.

Is "Radical" too Radical?

We have a love-hate relationship with radicals.  On the one hand, we admire their commitment to their cause (and are possibly secretly envious of their focused devotion).  On the other hand, sometimes we just want them to shut up and talk about something other than their cause.  We are okay with Muslims who practice their religion peacefully, but then label terrorists who attribute their to their faith as "radicals."  Politically, "radical" is the preferred adjective to malign those who differ from your views.  After all, how can you fight against a "moderate" without being viewed as the bully?  And yet, when we personally discover a cause worth giving our life to, we easily become radical.

A few years ago, Pastor David Platt released Radical: taking back your faith from the American Dream and it became an instant bestseller.  After all - we are both attracted and repelled by radical manifestos.  I finally read this book - and I have to say that I agree completely.  In the book, Platt argues that too many followers of Jesus have given their time, attention, energy and money to pursuing the so-called "American Dream" of status, success, comfort and wealth.  And he is right.  As the pastor of a wealthy, suburban mega-church, he speaks from a position of "been-there-done-that" and therefore is not a small-timer with questionable motives taking pot-shots at large churches.  He confesses and struggles with the reality that as American Christians, we spend too much our personal and church money and time creating comfortable Christianity.  Through a simple investigation of Jesus' teachings, Platt challenges Christians to be true, radical Jesus followers.

If you are a follower of Jesus who is tired of church programs, you need to read this book.  If you claim to be a Christian based on a prayer you prayed years ago, you need to read this book.  But be ready to be shaken.  You will feel the conviction of the Holy Spirit.

Pastor David Platt in India

One warning, though. As you read this book, you will wonder if you are really saved.  You will probably ask yourself if you are really good enough, or radical enough to be saved.  I counseled a friend who really struggle with this book.  Therefore, I would encourage you to not read this alone.  Remember that it is by grace you are saved, through faith in Jesus.  And David Platt would agree with that.  He is not advocating salvation by human obedience or good deeds!  But he does recognize that conversion and following Jesus necessarily results in good works and good fruit, and in the absence of both, one might want to seriously consider if they have truly repented of their sins.

In the end, David Platt casts a compelling vision for an experiment that will change you and will change the world.  There is no sense of manipulation or empty promises.  He is not an old-fashioned preacher who is just trying to guilt-trip his readers into a simple prayer.  He believes in the power and the promises of Jesus - that a life lived for Jesus alone is the best way to live!