In David W. Henderson’s book, Culture Shift, the author encourages and challenges believers in Jesus to be aware and take action to better present the Gospel to unbelievers as our culture changes. It reminds me of the saying, “The message must not change but the method must.” It is a definite challenge because we all have comfort zones and familiar ways of “doing” church and presenting our faith in Jesus to others. Change is tough. Knowing how to make the changes and still be biblical is even more challenging. We don’t want to compromise our convictions or water down the gospel. So I have listed below a few excerpts from Henderson’s book that are important for us to always remember and NEVER modify. It does not matter how much our culture shifts – we must always present these biblical demands. The rewarding thing is that those who are truly seeking a salvation relationship with God will find these radical demands appealing rather that appalling.
Commitment to Christ is an expensive proposition. It costs us everything we have. Not just relinquishing the savings accounts and turning over the title to the car
giving up, signing over, trading in ourselves.
There is a God-shaped vacuum in every heart that only God can fill. He said that what He offers people is like a really expensive pearl. And when people see it, and see how special it is, they run off and sell everything they have to buy it. Because that’s what a new right relationship with God is worth – everything.
Jesus says, “I’m what your heart is longing for, but cost is everything you have. Give yourself to me. Set aside all those other things you go dashing after and put me first.” When we do that, we will suddenly find have everything we’ve been looking for.
Whether living for Christ or sharing Christ, let’s not water down the radical demands of Jesus but give our all so we can be in His kingdom. The radical demands of Jesus and the rewards of reckless abandonment of this life for the sake of new life in Jesus is still “in style” – no matter how much our culture changes.
…Mike