Two really great incites in this chapter and excellent support and explanation. But first, what is his summation of God’s global purpose as set forth not only in, but throughout the Bible? “God blesses his people with extravagant grace so they might extend his extravagant glory to all peoples on earth.” We were made to glorify God and teach everyone to do it likewise. Not just our next door neighbor, but also the person on the other side of the Earth.
How has the American dream, well, Americanized the Great Commission? First we’ve turned the purposes of God into purposes for us. We have a habit of making the Bible all about us, rather than all about God and His great plan for salvation through His Son, Jesus. And it has been done so blatantly, that I only hope this isn’t the first book or person to point it out.
We go around preaching “God loves you” which is true, but it is not the entire story. “God loves you” stated for yourself is “God loves me” and the object of that sentence is the same object of the American Dream – ME. “Jesus loves me this I know” is a great starting point for children and new believers, but we have to mature from there. I wonder if that is why that particular song sung in adult worship makes me uncomfortable. Or if I’m uncomfortable because I know I am not worthy …
If we are worshipping only in the “God loves me” mindset, we tend to make worship all about me. What I’m comfortable with. Which music I like. Which church suits me. When church best fits into my schedule. And this extends into which clothes I will wear, which car I will drive, which house I will live in. If God loves me, don’t I deserve the best? If He blesses me richly, shouldn’t I live accordingly?
The second idea he presents is that we tend to take parts of the Bible and delineate whether they were meant for me or for “other people.” Now, I will agree that in the past, and certainly into the present and even future, I pick and choose what I choose to obey. I don’t deny that it is all meant for me as well as all people, but such is disobedience. No, this idea was new for me. We have a tendency to think that SOME people are called to missionary work overseas, but we are not among them.
I’ll leave you with his example:
We take Jesus’ command in Matthew 28 to make disciples of all nations, and we say, “That means other people.” But we look at Jesus’ command in Matthew 11:28, “Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest,” and we say, “Now, that means me.” We take Jesus’ promise in Acts 1:8 that the Spirit will lead us to the ends of the earth, and we say, “That means some people.” But we take Jesus’ promise in John 10:10 that we will have abundant life, and we say, “That means me.”
Radical p. 73
My mind is already making arguments for why I’m here and not someplace else … And I think there’s more to it than that. There are certainly people that feel an undeniable call to take up and go. There are certainly people whose character and personality and gifts spur them to go. And there is plenty one can do for others across the globe from here … The question is … Are they doing it? Am I doing it?
“Go therefore and make disciples of all nations baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age.”
Matthew 28:19-20 (ESV)
Matthew 28:19-20 (ESV)
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