The
twenty-first century church has spawn three basic categories of Christians:
*People
who have no hope that the world can be redeemed. Assuming Christ's return is
imminent, they retreat into a shelter of apathy concerning the non-Christian
world around them. They love the Lord and concern
themselves with their immediate family and closest friends, but they don't know
how or what to do to change society or impact their workplace or neighborhood.
*People
who confront the world’s darkness, the depravity of the ungodly and the
audacity of the wicked. They are both vocal and visible, pounding the pulpit
and the pavement. But their ability to transform culture is, for the most part,
neutralized by their harshness, negativity, and rage… and their lack of
perceived love. They are dismissed as judgmental extremists.
Both
of these groups sincerely desire to see culture transformed. But they are
troubled that the world is unchristian, without being troubled that their own
hearts are un-Christlike. They do not understand their own need to be
transformed into the nature of Christ – the number one priority of God's heart
– which is the singular prerequisite to all ministries, callings, giftings and
righteous works of any sort. (Rom. 8:28-29)
*People
who are passionate about being conformed into the very nature of Christ,
partaking of His character, virtues, and attitudes, sharing the desires of His
heart, moving in His agape love, and controlled by His Spirit. These are people
who have understood the priority of God; they know that the Father's highest
passion is to behold His Son revealed in a believer's soul. Their primary quest
is not just to touch their neighbors' hearts, but first to touch the heart of
God. For it is in the awakening of the Father's pleasure that the power of His
Spirit flows forth as a river of living water… changing the hearts of those around
them.
WORLD CHANGERS NEEDED
(Modified excerpts from Francis Frangipane, To
Touch the Heart of God)
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