Jesus told His disciples many years ago, “I will build My Church, and the gates of Hell will not prevail against it.”
As the years have gone by, I’ve noticed a growing angst among believers. And the truth is I can easily be one of the them. I so quickly forget just how in control God really is. I often try to take things into my own hands, which is really just another way of saying, “I’m gonna make this happen.” Maybe you’ve struggled at times with the same thoughts I’ve had:
“Are things going to get better in this world?”
“Is the Church being lazy on evangelism?”
“Am I not doing enough?”
“Are my prayers even working?”
“Am I wasting my time?”
“Have I pursued righteousness for nothing?”
“Is Christianity going to be snuffed out?”
“Will my nation ever have a revival?”
“Why won’t people do anything?”
“Why won’t [this person] turn to Christ?”
“Why won’t these mountains move?”
“Have I been faithful for nothing?”
“Where is the reward?”
“Where is the fruit?”
“Why do things not change?”
I’m sure you can resonate with at least a couple of these thoughts. The more I’ve grown in the Lord and read Scripture, the more I’ve realized how important God’s Word really is. It is revelation from Him to us about everything we need to know.
The problem?
If I don’t stay in the Word, I forget the things in the Word.
As we stay in the Word of God, the Holy Spirit brings truths more quickly back to our minds. It is vital that I know what God’s Word says, so that I’m letting it shape how I conduct myself in this life. It affects my pursuits, my approach, and my desires. My functional theology (what my life says I believe about God and His Word) always shows. And where I’m at in my spiritual walk will always show too.
In considering all of these anxious thoughts, I’ve coined a new term. I call it “Panic Theology.” It is a belief that says the future of Christianity and growth of the Church depends entirely upon us. The implication then, is that we (followers of Christ) are some kind of mini messiahs to the world, and that we are the answer to all of the world’s problems.
You know what I call it?
A lie.
Christ said that He would build His Church. Likewise, He also said that no one can come to Him unless the Father first draws Him. This is not to say that God doesn’t use us. There’s no disputing the fact that He does. But perhaps we have forgotten whose glory the salvation of men is about. The saving of souls has always been to the glory of God. The fact that he uses sinners like us to reach a world in need is not only incredible but…humbling. It is a privilege we have in our time here on earth to represent Him, speaking the truth lovingly into people’s lives.
Here are some things to consider:
1. If we are ‘mini messiahs,’ then what is Jesus supposed to be to the world? What was the point of the cross and His resurrection?
2. If the spreading of the Gospel and the salvation of souls depends entirely upon us, then what was the point of Jesus sending His Spirit?
3. If we had the ability to shine light into men’s hearts, would the Father even be glorified?
I think these are three very important considerations. I believe that there needs to be a renewed emphasis on humility when it comes to evangelism. If the salvation of souls is to the glory of God, then how is that shaping what I believe about my role? How is it shaping my understanding of what faithfulness looks like? If my faithfulness to God results in little to no visible affect on others, what will I say to myself? What will I say to God?
There are some people who like to be behind a microphone. They enjoy being on stage, and God has them there for a reason. There are others who should not be on a stage or behind a microphone. There are people who should be on a stage but aren’t there quite yet. There are others who despise attention and wish to work behind the scenes. And there are those we might call “the normal people.”
God uses all of these people. Despite our shortcomings or imperfections, despite our weaknesses, God uses us and gives us spiritual gifts to serve Him with.
He also changes us.
As believers grow, sometimes we find ourselves in roles we never would have imagined. But it is God who has brought us thus far to do that which is pleasing to Him. Maybe that role even terrifies us to an extent. But He has promised to be with us.
The way that Christ uses His Bride (the Church) to accomplish His will is astonishing. He uses the ground rufflers…He uses the seed planters…He uses the waterers…He uses every believer. We all play a role.
But God brings the increase.
Never forget that.
If you haven’t noticed by now, our western culture is captivated by numbers. We are greatly influenced by them. We allow them to control us and shape our lives. We put value and weight on them that we often shouldn’t. We enable them to dictate how we view what true success looks like.
In Bible college, it was not uncommon to hear about how many churches in the U.S. were closing their doors. It was always sad and impactful. As Christians, we connected to that kind of information. But what we didn’t hear enough was how many new churches in the world were being planted.
Did you know that the masses of the world have always outnumbered Christianity? We have always been the minority on this planet, no matter what nation we are in, what ethnic people we come from, or what background we have. We have always been…the numbered…minority.
Sometimes we are shocked by what we see or hear on the news. Is it possible that we are surprised by these things because we have forgotten what Scripture tells us? If we don’t stay in the word…we forget what it says.
On a personal level, I’m always thrilled when I hear of a new church plant. It reminds me that, though the darkness is formidable, there continues to arise out of the ground new buildings (whether big or small) to host followers of Christ in their fellowship and worship with one another.
The doors of church buildings may close, but the Church will not. History has proven that when any empire or evil force attempts to quash out Christianity, it only spreads all the more. We face sufferings that echo and resonate in the halls of faith and will continue to do so. But we will be a light nonetheless. We will stand out in this world, though the darkness has made her fortresses.
All of this presents a personal challenge to myself:
“How is what I believe affecting what I do?”
Did you know that God can take something tiny and make it really big? Do you know what God does with a seed?
Do you have any idea how much impact your faithfulness is making for eternity?
Do you have any idea that your whole life—not just your words—is a living testimony that is read by everyone around you?
Do you have any idea how much God has changed you?
Do you have any idea why it all matters?
Did you know that God made you specifically to play a role that He wants you to play? (Then live it out)
Did you know that you weren’t supposed to be someone else?
Do you have any idea the kinds of ways that God uses you?
In the day that you think it’s all a worthless pursuit, remember something.
It’s not.
The Lord is our strong tower in life and ministry. Your whole life is a ministry playing out. People hear your words, they see your responses, they watch your doctrine closely. And they always have a takeaway from you, whether they accept it or not.
Don’t live a panic theology. Don’t buy into lies. Live out the role that God has for you. And shine in that role. It’s a role that no one else was created to fill. Be faithful unto the Lord in all things, and trust Him with the results, no matter how many are actually visible and even if it seems like mountains aren’t moving.
Did you know that some missionaries rarely see fruits in their labors for the Lord? I know of some believers who, in their decades of service only knew of a few individuals who came to Christ. It was a process that took years. It required great demands of faithfulness, regardless of what did or didn’t happen. In such a position, it would have been easy to compare themselves to other missionaries. But they remembered something key in life ministry: success is obeying God. The numbers belong to God, no matter how big or how small. The fact that all the angels of Heaven rejoice when one sinner repents is a subtle rebuke to any who would think that successful ministry should be measured by worldliness.
Acts 2:47 says, “And every day the Lord added to them those who were being saved.”
Don’t live a panic theology. Trust the Lord with all your heart and do not lean on what you understand. Be faithful in all things. Play the role that God has called you to play.
When we see how much our nation has deteriorated, it’s terribly easy to get discouraged. And of that I am reminded not to put my hope in a nation or in a man. I love America. And with the Lord’s help, I’ll continue to shine as a bright light in a dark land. But I’ll do it in the way that I’m supposed to. Though it be a struggle at times, I refuse to live in angst. It is in the greatest darkness that light shines forth brilliantly. There’s no promise that America will ever go back to “being what it was,” but there is a promise that the Lord will be with us. If there is to be a bell of liberty that rings again in this land, my prayer is that it is for the spiritual freedom of those who repent. Woe to the nation that rejects God.
But remember:
Our prayers are not hitting a brick wall.
Lord, our nation is in need of the healing only You can bring. We look at it today and sometimes think it’s hopeless or useless to pray. But the truth is it’s not. Our prayers avail much. We don’t put our hope in America. We put our hope in You. May Your Spirit continually empower us to live out faithful and grace-filled lives. Help us to shine in the role that you have called us to and live everyday rejoicing, despite fortresses of darkness and seasons of suffering. May we stay faithful in reading Your Word so that we are not caught off guard. Thank You that You are able to make every grace overflow to us. With Your help, we shall do valiantly and be the people of courage we need to be. In Jesus’s name, Amen.
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