1 Thessalonians 2:8 “We loved you so much that we were delighted to share with you not only the gospel of God but our lives as well, because you had become so dear to us.”
Graham Cyster was a South African evangelical Christian who was smuggled one night several decades ago into an underground Communist cell of young people fighting apartheid. The leader spoke: “Tell us about the gospel of Jesus Christ.” At this critical stage of their spiritual development, they seemed to be half hoping for an alternative to the violent communist strategy they were about to embrace. Cyster gave a clear, powerful presentation of the gospel. He showed how personal faith in Christ wonderfully transforms people and creates one new body of believers where there is neither Jew nor Greek, male nor female, rich nor poor, black nor white. The group listened avidly until he finished his talk. Then one seventeen-year-old exclaimed: “That is wonderful! Show me where I can see that happening.” Graham’s face fell as he sadly responded that he couldn’t think of anywhere in the whole of South Africa where Christians were truly living out the message of the gospel. “Then the whole thing is a piece of sh—!” the young man spat out angrily. Within a month he had left the country to join the armed struggle against apartheid – and eventually paid for it with his life.
That young man was right. How can we claim our faith is alive if we fail to live in a way consistent with our creed? As George Barna reflects: “Christianity has largely failed since the middle of the twentieth century because Jesus’ modern-day disciples do not act like Jesus.”
Ouch! Well what might we do? Instead of always hanging out with people similar to ourselves, how about actively seeking to befriend a Muslim, someone from a different race, or from a different socio-economic background? And then – and this is an even bigger challenge – invite them into your life such that the above verse is true for you. Now we’re talking!
Lord, help me live out what I profess to believe today. Amen!
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