Praise For Those In The World But Not Of It

Mike Hosey, Elder

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Adam Clarke, the 19th century Methodist biblical scholar who wrote a 6000 page commentary on the bible (by himself) once addressed worldliness.

He advised preachers of the gospel not to expect "worldly honors: these Jesus Christ neither took to himself, nor gave to his disciples."

His advice is significant to those of us who follow Jesus, because most of us understand that all of us are to be preachers of the gospel (Matthew 28:19-20). That is to say that we are all supposed to proclaim His word.

While Clarke's observation is true, it is incomplete without recognizing a sobering truth that goes with it. The bible also tells us that the world will, in fact, hate those who follow Jesus (Matthew 10:22; John 15:19; 2 Timothy 3:12).

This makes perfect sense because the gospel is an offensive thing to those comfortable in a sinful or self-destructive life (1 Corinthians 1:18, Galatians 5:11). It is only alluring to those who wish to exit such a life. But unfortunately, the world tends to entice people into self-destructive patterns.

Interestingly, modern affluent Christianity finds itself in a strange place in regards to those facts.  In the modern world we tend to almost deify Christians who have won a place in the world. These Christians include celebrities of all kinds.

Danny Wuerffel and Tim Tebow come to mind. Everyone knows their names and faces. Some almost worship them. No doubt, both their career accomplishments, and their Christian walks are worthy of a measure of praise.  

But it seems strange that we know their names so easily but have no idea that Saeed Abedini, an American pastor who started 100 house churches, consisting of more than 2000 members, in 30 Iranian cities remains caged in Iran's deadly Evin Prison  -- simply because he follows Jesus.  

How ironic!

Is this because we are so enamored by a world that hates us that we celebrate to see one of our own succeed in it, or is this because we feel so far removed from the need to spread God's message that we've forgotten the Abedinis of our faith?