Christian Pitfalls: Shallow Conversions
Now great multitudes went with Him. And He turned and said to them, “If anyone comes to Me and does not hate his father and mother, wife and children, brothers and sisters, yes, and his own life also, he cannot be My disciple. And whoever does not bear his cross and come after Me cannot be My disciple. For which of you, intending to build a tower, does not sit down first and count the cost, whether he has enough to finish it— lest, after he has laid the foundation, and is not able to finish, all who see it begin to mock him, saying, ‘This man began to build and was not able to finish’? Or what king, going to make war against another king, does not sit down first and consider whether he is able with ten thousand to meet him who comes against him with twenty thousand? Or else, while the other is still a great way off, he sends a delegation and asks conditions of peace. So likewise, whoever of you does not forsake all that he has cannot be My disciple
Luke 14:25-33 (NKJV)
I’ve seen pastors bragging about 3 things:
The # of years they’ve “walked with the Lord.”
The growing size of their congregations.
How many people come to altar calls.
My come-to-Jesus meeting was private, as were the commitments of my children. What precipitated our conversions? It was NOT pastors. It WAS loving Christians who repped Him well. Because of them, we chose to follow Him (without pushing or prompting altar calls).
We never felt pressured… only intrigued!
Studies show…, a convert's CONTINUANCE in the faith is as low as 2%.* While I’d like everyone to take the plunge… I think “quantity” is a harmful goal.
Instead, the quality of eager hearts and seeking minds requires examination, discipleship, time, and full disclosure.
Consider Jesus. He freely shared the cost to follow Him– so clear, in fact, that…
'Many of His disciples, when they heard this... walked with Him no more. Then Jesus said to the twelve, 'Do you also want to go away?' ' (John 6:60,66-67).**
Consider Alexander MacLaren's Expositions on Luke 14:28 (Counting the cost):
'Christ sought for no recruits under false pretenses, but rather discouraged than stimulated light-hearted adhesion. His constant effort was to sift the crowds that gathered round Him... Was that because He did not wish them to follow Him? He desired every soul in that crowd for His own, and He knew that the best way to attract is sometimes to repel; and that a plain statement of the painful consequences of a course will quench no genuine enthusiasm, but may turn a mere flash in the pan into a purpose that will flame through a life.' ***
Actors, models, and talent for Christ:
The full conversion of sinner-to-saint is your Boss’s job as the great High Priest. Your job is His true representation– as loving, intriguing ambassadors.
Sooner or later, people will ask the Reason for your hope… and why you’re so kind (when others are NOT). When that great, effectual door opens, share your “why” – gently!
What follows next is between Him and them.
Christian Pitfalls: Shallow Conversions (Part 39)
* Falling away from the faith: stats and quotes on conversions: http://christianity.stackexchange.com/questions/10144/are-there-any-real-statistics-on-how-many-people-fall-away
* Article: 'The Alter Call: Is it Helpful or Harmful?' http://www.biblicalstudies.com/bstudy/contempry/altar.htm
** John 6:60-69: http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=John+6%3A60-69&version=NKJV
*** MacLaren's Expositions on Luke 14:28: http://biblehub.com/commentaries/luke/14-28.htm
NOTE: God is my Ghostwriter. If what I write is good, it’s from God. You may see notes to 'Actors, Models & Talent for Christ.' If you think you're not in show business, think again. Shakespeare said, 'All the world's a stage and all its men and women merely players.’ Mostly true. But you're not merely players. You are messengers and ambassadors for the King of kings.