My last article on this platform was in reference to songs by Christian artists hitting the secular charts. I was deeply grieved by some of the reactions.
Already, as some read this, guns are being loaded for a second round of attacks against the artists. The article, however, was not about the artists and how imperfectly they are fulfilling the call of God. As a matter of fact, I’m not going to name them in this article at all.
The article was written to believers – about the lost.
We have little control over the fact that particular songs have become popular among the lost, especially after the fact. What we do have control over is our own obedience to Christ in fulfilling the commission He has given us – to go and make disciples.
The article was intended as an encouragement to look into the minds and hearts of the lost, to recognize the needs in our midst – in order to reach them with the gospel of Christ, to offer the healing balm of Gilead (Jeremiah 8:22).
Again, this was not about the two imperfect artists (although we should pray for them.)
It’s about souls for which Jesus has patiently delayed His judgment (2 Peter 3:8-9). He wishes that none would perish.
Sometimes we are so busy delineating the failings and imperfections of others, we fail to do what we are called to do. When we are obedient, God will glorify Himself.
To propose that we can somehow glorify God without living out His very purpose for coming to us is baffling to me. Jesus, Himself, stated clearly why He came to live among us and what His ultimate purpose was:
"For the Son of Man came to seek and to save the lost” (Luke 19:10).
Jesus completely followed through in His obedience to the Father, and, therefore, glorified the Father.
The night before His crucifixion, "Jesus spoke these things; and lifting up His eyes to heaven, He said, 'Father, the hour has come; glorify Your Son, that the Son may glorify You, even as You gave Him authority over all flesh, that to all whom You have given Him, He may give eternal life. This is eternal life, that they may know You, the only true God, and Jesus Christ whom You have sent. I glorified You on the earth, having accomplished the work which You have given Me to do.‘" (John 17:1-4). (Emphasis added.)
Thinking God is glorified in our “truth-telling” alone, we become clanging symbols drowning out the cries for hope in our midst. In doing so, we are failing to glorify God.
Fields are ripe for the harvest, and the reapers are too busy arguing over last spring’s seed sowing to even notice.
In the account of Jesus healing on the Sabbath, those standing around complained about the circumstances surrounding the situation and totally missed the need in their midst – a man with a shriveled useless hand looking for some vague possibility of wholeness.
They also missed the joy of witnessing the man’s healing. Mark 3:5 says that Jesus looked around with anger, grieved at the hardness of heart (right before He healed the man anyway).
Can you remember your need before Christ reached out and touched you, healing you of your iniquities, removing you from the kingdom of darkness and death, and bringing you into His kingdom of light and life?
Colossians 3:12 instructs us “as those who have been chosen of God, holy and beloved, put on a heart of compassion...”
Somebody had to meet you and me at our point of need. Jesus did.
