On Balance

Ever wonder why some things can be so hard to find a balance in, on or about? I'll tell you why up front...It is simply because we are trying to manage things on our own strength and abilities and not depend on Christ. Now I will explain.

I will use, as an example, the dilemma of evangelizing while not being "dirtied" by the world. Christ issued the command to be in the world but do not be apart of it. Just how we choose to interpret this verse can be very revealing about whether our eyes are on Christ or on the storm that rages around up. We know the story...Peter took his eyes off of his Lord and refocused them on the waves and predictably began to sink. Similarly, when we find that we cannot figure out how evangelism/discipleship intersects with remaining free from the corrupting worldly influences prevalent around us, we tend to separate ourselves in order to remain somewhat "pure". But we inevitably break Christ's commandment to interrelate with those who do not know our Lord by staying away.

We have done this with our neighbors. But it never did sit right. It did not feel right. See, what we were doing was operating from fear rather than faith. God is ultimately our protector. How can we teach our children to serve if they see their parents holding back simply because our neighbors are not Christians? We are no better than they! I have said on many occasions that the church is a gathering place for believers where they are taught sound doctrine which encourages them to go out and get their hands "dirtied" in the trenches. There is no fear when we entrust to our Lord our very selves. My identity is in Christ. I need not be afraid of anything that the world and the devil might throw at me. It makes no matter if I focus my eyes where they belong. This goes for the safety of my children. I have determined between my wife and I that we will minister together. God has given us joy in sharing our home with others. But we have been neglectful to minister to our unbelieving neighbors. This is wrong. I am thankful that the young man next door has the freedom to come over and invite himself to a meal. In the past, we have tried to exclude him from our family meals and events and frankly I am surprised that he still persists in inviting himself despite the rules I have placed on him. I repent of them and now freely offer him a plate (He loves my wife's homemade pizza). But now I am no longer concerned about a negative influence on my little children. Instead, I can teach them to be an influence on him for Christ. No, the world will not know our Lord if we remain secluded in our homes and with our local church. Excusivism seems to me to be a form of elitism which ought not find a place within the body of Christ.

When we really get down to it where is this line of distinction really? I mean Jesus mixed with the tax collectors and the "sinners" and took wine from their hands. Are we afraid to do the same? Why? Are we unsure of our position in Christ? Are we unsure that we might fall away and be deluded by worldly influences? Maybe we should instead reassess our faith and ask the Lord to increase it?

Our churches must evangelize and must teach discipleship so that the people of Christ might establish relationships outside of the church where they can influence these for Christ and in turn bring them into fellowship. Evangelism is what the people do outside of the safety net of fellowship. Discipleship is the result of establishing relationships with others who are not a part of the community of believers. Education is key obviously. These principles must be taught to both men and women. And women must be encouraged to teach these things to the younger women in the church and in groups outside the church.

So in conclusion, we must put away our formulas, rules and laws and begin to trust and have faith in the ability of our Savior. Only then will we ever find balance.

-Joe