I See You, Part 2

Recently, I was processing what good evangelism looks like in our current cultural moment. A friend is trying to navigate the complexities of speaking truth in love, specifically in relation to engaging with friends from childhood who may not be pursuing a biblically acceptable lifestyle. Having been wrestling with what it looks like to be a good ambassador for this blog, I came to a striking conclusion. Hopefully, I can express in writing what was deeply meaningful in words. 

As evangelical Christians, evangelism is of utmost importance. We tend to carry, on our sleeve (as it were) a burden to communicate the Gospel to everyone and anyone who crosses our path. One of our highest values is knowing whether someone is going to Heaven when they die, and yes, I believe Heaven is a real place where followers of Jesus will go one day. 

The challenge with evangelicalism, however, is that we can be so concerned with proclamation that we tend to forget that proclamation is not actually what we're supposed to do. The Great Commission (Matt 28:19-20) is not primarily about proclamation, it's about discipleship. Yes, proclamation is discussed other places, Mark 16:15 definitely comes to mind, but is that the primary focus of what we're called to do? Perhaps the answer to that is looking at the impact... if our measure of success is simply to proclaim the truth of God's Word, then we better get a street preacher on every corner. If our measure of success is faithfulness to make disciples, however, our strategy will need to change. 

In my last blog, I referenced Hudson Taylor and the impact that came from contextualizing his message to his audience. We celebrate his creativity and innovation today. Hindsight really is 20/20. But applying lessons from the past is much more difficult. We are struggling to contextualize the message of hope found in a relationship with Jesus for our own unique mission field. 

That's where the conversation I mentioned at the beginning of this blog comes in... my friend is seeking to contextualize the Gospel without compromising truth. It struck me, as we were chatting, what it was that my friend was doing... she could see her friends! What I mean by that is, she could look past behavior that is socially unacceptable in a religious context to see the hurting person underneath the labels. She could see their humanity, their frailty, their value. 

At the end of the day, seeing people for who they are rather than what they do is the gift the Body of Christ can bring to the "cultural table." Because of our shared identity as image bearers, every single person ever born has intrinsic value that remains unchanged regardless of their actions, choices, or rejection of biblical truth. As Christians, who recognize our Triune God as the source of intrinsic value, we can affirm value, even in the lives of people others tend to cancel. 

Let me take a moment to drill down into cancel culture. However you define it, two realities have to be acknowledged. First, cancel culture is the opposite of recognizing intrinsic value. Cancel culture is determining value based on whether someone else's behavior or beliefs meet my standards or expectations. Second, and this is a tough reality... Christians "cancel" people, too. We just do it in quieter, more subtle (religiously appropriate?) ways. 

Now, back to my main point... we can affirm intrinsic human value. It is something that is fairly unique in the world, especially right now. Which makes it striking... 

Just to clarify, affirming intrinsic human value does not mean excusing inappropriate behavior. It does not mean justifying or making allowance for sin. It means recognizing value in spite of the sin, speaking life into hearts ravaged by rejection, condemnation, and hopelessness. 

To say it a different way, Christians can see people. We can acknowledge the existence of people who are not popular or pretty, or powerful. We can, to borrow from Micah, do justice, love mercy, and walk humbly with our God. We can, through the power of the Holy Spirit, live differently, talk differently, even demonstrate mercy, love, and compassion differently! And when we do, because we are expressing God's love and God's mercy and God's compassion, rather than the fakes and counterfeits the world offers, people will experience everything differently! 

I don't think I can express it well enough, and I'm sure someone is scratching their head, wondering why seeing people is so exciting. It's hard to explain. But it makes so much difference. And I bet, if you start trying to see people, not just for what they can offer you, not just for how they are inconveniencing you, and not just for how they disagree with you, you will be amazed at how differently people engage with you. Being treated with the dignity inherent in being seen is not a common experience, which makes the people who experience it take notice. 

If you don't believe me, try it for a week. Pray that God will give you eyes to see people the way He does, every day for a week. Then make a mental note as to how people respond... if you take the challenge, please come back and share your experiences. I'd love to hear what happens!!