The tidal wave of relativism that has swept through our culture has created a lot of victims. It says, “Truth is relative, so don’t cram your opinion down my throat.”
The problem is, Jesus wasn’t a relativist and it is impossible to be his follower and to have this easy-come, easy-go view of truth. When you’re on an airplane, it has a flight plan that takes you a certain way into the airport. The pilot doesn’t have the luxury of multiple options. And when Jesus said, “No man comes unto the Father but by me,” he didn’t leave the door open to other options.
Following Jesus isn’t for everyone, but if it’s a way that you have found hope (and if you haven’t, that’s fine, please just be honest about it), then passivity and relativism isn’t an option for you. Jesus said: “Go into all the world and make disciples.” We who follow him need to do what he said.
That’s the missionary imperative. Past generations understood it, but it seems that few young Christians today do. They don’t have a sense of urgency, they don’t seem to grasp the world’s pain or it’s need for hope. The generational ethos is that everything is optional. And I’m not saying they have to change, I’m just saying, “Don’t call yourself a Jesus-follower when you’re not at least prepared to do what he asked his disciples to do.”
Jesus said, “if you are lukewarm, I will spit you out of my mouth.” I guess that means you’re either in or you’re out. I’ve devoted my life to finding and sending those who are all-in. If you’re one, I’ll gladly serve you in this way. People around the world are much needier than we here in this rich suburban bubble called America. It’s not complicated, we need to go to where they are and speak the language of their heart.
Katie Rowland captured our team’s experience in Mozambique living out this imperative in this excellent video.
How Will They Hear? 3 Minute from Discover The Journey on Vimeo.
Great post Seth! We’ve got to call out this generation and find the remnant who holds nothing back. Thanks for the reality of this truth.
Seth – from your heart again to my heart ! I was reminded that ‘they were first called Christians in Antioch .’
Partisans for Christ , on fire for Christ , sold out for Christ , and recognizable as belonging to Christ by their lifestyle . If we are going to use His Great Name , then at least let`s try and look like Him . Great blog .