In a world that seems increasingly distant from faith, how do we as believers navigate the cultural landscape and share the transformative message of Jesus Christ? This question becomes more pressing as we observe a society that appears to be drifting further from traditional religious values. However, the early church faced similar challenges, and their approach provides valuable insights for us today.
Consider the ancient city of Athens, a hub of intellectual and cultural influence comparable to modern-day Paris, Oxford, and Yale combined. It was here that the early Christian movement encountered a society steeped in pluralism and idolatry. The response of early Christians to this environment offers a powerful model for engaging our own increasingly secular world.
When confronted with the rampant idolatry in Athens, the early Christians experienced a profound sense of distress. This wasn't mere outrage or anger, but a deep, conflicting emotion stemming from two sources: righteous indignation that God wasn't receiving the glory He deserves, and heartbreak over the spiritual darkness enveloping the people.
This response teaches us an important lesson: the gospel should stir our affections. When we truly internalize the message of Christ, it doesn't just change our nature; it transforms our entire worldview. It alters how we perceive people, approach our jobs, and engage in relationships. The Christian life is more than just feelings, but it certainly isn't devoid of them either.
As believers, we should ask ourselves: Does the spiritual condition of our communities, schools, and workplaces bother us as much as it bothers God? Are we moved to action by the lack of passion for Jesus among those around us? This righteous jealousy for God's glory should fuel our desire to share the gospel.
However, this passion must be tempered with wisdom and compassion. Emotional outrage, which often leads to demonizing and attacking others, rarely impacts lostness effectively. Instead, we're called to a righteous jealousy that stems from a deep love for God and a genuine concern for those who don't know Him.
The early Christians didn't just feel deeply; they acted purposefully. They engaged their culture at every level, from religious centers to public squares. They worked the gospel into everyday conversations, finding natural and persuasive ways to talk about Jesus. This approach challenges us to be students of our own culture, to understand the underlying beliefs and values that drive our society's actions and decisions.
Everything we build, every system we create, every recreational activity we engage in – all of these things speak volumes about what we truly believe about God. As Christians, we're called to look beneath the surface, to perceive the spiritual realities underlying our cultural expressions.
This insight should shape how we witness. We need to understand that even those who claim not to believe in God are worshipping something. There's always an underlying drive, a fundamental belief system that guides people's choices and behaviors. Our task is to see our communities through God's eyes, to understand the spiritual climate of our streets, businesses, and institutions.
Central to our witness is the reality of the resurrection. The early Christians staked everything on this historical event. In a world where no other group believed in personal, individual resurrection, the early church's unwavering conviction that Jesus had risen from the dead was revolutionary. Their willingness to die for this belief provides compelling evidence for its truth.
This confidence in the resurrection should compel us to urgency in our witness. We're not just sharing a nice idea or a comforting story; we're proclaiming a world-altering reality. There's an expiration date on our opportunity to share this message. Each day brings us closer to a time when we won't be able to tell our loved ones, colleagues, or classmates about Jesus.
This urgency should lead us to plead with others to trust in Christ. Not in an overbearing or disrespectful manner, but with love, humility, and care. We should be moved by the reality of God's judgment and the limited time we have to share the good news.
The story of C.T. Shedd, a famous cricket player who gave up wealth and fame to serve as a missionary, exemplifies this urgency. His statement, "Some people want to live within the sound of chapel bells, but I want to run a mission a yard from the gates of hell," challenges us to engage with the spiritual darkness around us, no matter how daunting it may seem.
As we reflect on these truths, we must ask ourselves some hard questions:
Does the spiritual lostness around us truly bother us? Are we heartbroken over the darkness in our world?
Do we feel equipped to share the gospel faithfully? Could we explain why we believe the gospel is true to someone who asked?
Are we living as if we're certain that Jesus rose from the dead? Does our confidence in this historical reality shape our daily lives?
The call to engage our culture with the gospel is not just for professional ministers or missionaries. It's a call to every believer to live with purpose, compassion, and urgency. We're called to be deeply moved by the spiritual condition of our world, to engage thoughtfully with our culture, and to share the hope we have in Christ with love and conviction.
In a world that often seems resistant to faith, let's be inspired by the early church's example. Let's allow the gospel to stir our affections, shape our conversations, and compel us to action. May we run our mission yards from the gates of hell, confident in the power of the resurrection and the transformative message of Jesus Christ.