“The Bible is easily read when it’s talking about ‘them’. It’s painfully read when it’s talking about us.” – Mark Driscoll
This quote struck me as I heard it, because It’s easy to look at the world and think that the problems in it are all about ‘them’. Government, leaders, other religions, ‘those sinners’. Jesus said our focus isn’t to be on what’s wrong with ‘them’ – it’s to focus on what’s wrong with us.
It’s often more comfortable to talk about other people’s sins and failings – or even to talk about sin in a general way – than to actually allow God to confront our own sinfulness and failings. The Bible doesn’t just speak to ‘them’, but it speaks equally to all of us – Christian and non-Christian: Confronting sinfulness and showing the way.
Yes, there is a lot wrong with the world. There is greed, corruption, lust, perversion, ungodliness. But how is that ever changed? Not simply by pointing fingers or bringing accusation, but by allowing God to work on our lives, sanctifying us, and empowering us by his Holy Spirit to be a witness that shines brightly for him. Sure we need to preach the gospel, but we’d better make sure we are a witness first.
How can you say to your brother, ‘Let me take the speck out of your eye,’ when all the time there is a plank in your own eye? You hypocrite, first take the plank out of your own eye, and then you will see clearly to remove the speck from your brother’s eye. – Matthew 6:4-5 (NIV)
I’m also convinced we will carry more weight with the world if they can see we’re not just focused on changing them, but we’re focused on letting God have his way in us. The Bible says that if we will be a light to the world then people will see and they will glorify God.
Let your light shine before men in such a way that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father who is in heaven. – Matthew 5:16 (NASB)
Speaking of letting your light shine, if you’re from our London church and haven’t yet registered for our SHINE Western Europe conference then what are you waiting for – get your name down quick!
