The Rock and the hard place

I heard a very thought provoking sermon this weekend that left me feeling excited to be a part of what God is doing in our community, as well as challenged to step up to the plate. He spoke about how we must build bridges to connect believers with those outside of church walls. Our example being Christ, who build the bridge to connect us to God. I love that our church body is moving in this direction!

One thing he said that really grabs my attention is that the gap between Christians and the secular world is broadening. It is so true. It's getting harder and harder to reach unbelievers. Everyone seems so synical and desensitized. I find myself wondering what it takes now days to reach lost people.

When I was lost, the one person that really got through to me was a small group leader that was completely honest with me. She told me about her drinking days, struggles with depression, how her brother had committed suicide, that she was lonely and was sometimes tempted to give up this good fight and go to bar and find her a man. Sounds pathetic, but she got my attention. I thought, "Finally, someone real!" I found some hope in the fact that she had been that person in the past and now she was a worship leader and a Sunday school teacher.

It was true for me and I think it's true for most people. The lost are looking for someone who will meet them where they are, and be genuine. They know when you see them as a salvation project, and I think it turns them away.

So here's what's on my heart. In 1 Thes., it says to seperate yourselves from even the appearance of evil. I have heard this verse used many times to encourage believers to steer clear of anything that might expose us to something negative. I am not convinced that this verse is telling us to do that. I could be wrong. But if I am not willing to put myself in a situation where I might be exposed to something negative, then am I going to be able to reach people outside of my immediate circle of influence? Or in my case, within my immediate circle of influence. See previous post.

Our best example is always Christ, and we all know the riff raff He hung out with. Had He not been willing to dine with the tax collectors and prostitutes, He may have had a hard time reaching them. I find it hard to believe that while spending time with the lost, He was never exposed to anything that wasn't of God. I think we definately have to watch it, we are not Christ and could be led astray with too much exposure. But I believe that if I meet my lost in their environment, they are going to be more willing to meet me in mine (ya know.... the church).