"Repent or Burn"

I'm struggling with how to begin this entry. In basic writing classes you learn that effective writing has a "hook." A hook is something that grabs your attention and can happen anytime. REPENT OR BURN!! There, was that quick enough?

Did it get your attention? Probably not, at least not in this culture! We've tuned it out; become numb to it...kind of a whatever. The truth is I mostly cringe whenever I see/hear that phrase used. Not because I fear the burn, but it just makes me sad when I see it used to condemn and intimidate. Hmmm, let me think...where have I typically seen such "evangelistic" methods used? How about in front of abortion clinics or at Gay Pride parades.

How about the street preacher who stands on the corner breathing fire and calling for repentance? I'm not questioning his motive, but I am questioning the connection with his audience. Come to think of it, have you ever seen one with an audience? Have you ever seen one pray publicly for someone to receive Christ? Maybe you have and I just don't get out enough....

I learned a long time ago (still learning) never to paint God into a corner with my "beliefs." He's a lot bigger than I am. He can do anything he wants whenever he wants including using some pretty unconventional methods to reach people...even if it's just one. The fact is God does want people to repent because he doesn't want to see anyone thrown out with the garbage (2 Peter 3:9). We're all wired differently. It stands to reason, then, that if some of us need the hell scared out of us... so be it. If God figures it gets us off a path to destruction and on a path to life, then it's worth it! This would be the exception, however, rather than the rule.

What I have seen is that guilt and fear are poor motivators. Usually when these two are used to get what a person wants, resentment is not far behind. Here's an analogy: consider a married couple where one spouse berates, threatens and intimidates the other on a consistent basis. The bully may get his way, but the relationship is void of the stuff that makes a marriage meaningful: adoration, affection, devotion; in a word, love. It would come as no surprise that the injured spouse harbors significant anger, resentment and even hatred toward the abusive spouse.

Here's the point ("hook" alert!): That analogy shares a lot in common with our approach to evangelism. In the Bible, the church is seen as "the bride of Christ" (Rev. 19:7) and he is the groom. The cross is God's marriage proposal to us. His commitment could be no greater or serious than the sacrifice of his own life! He simply wants us to say "yes" to his proposal. In Jesus' day, there was a "betrothal period" which really amounts to a formal engagement where both parties were busy preparing themselves for their marriage and life together. We Christians are betrothed to him... making ourselves ready to be his forever. Until then, "making ourselves ready" means being like him, loving like he loves. The Apostle John says it like this, "whoever claims to live in him must walk as Jesus did."

Well, guess what? Jesus took a lot of abuse... but it was from the religious establishment (Jesus called them hypocrites) who were busy worshipping a god and a system of their own making. Jesus simply loved. His offense was hanging out with "those terrible sinners," lifting a cup of wine with them, touching them, laughing with them... communicating in a dangerous way God's overwhelming love and acceptance for them. It helped get him executed.

Let me ask this question: are we, by our lives and our conversation, communicating a heartfelt marriage proposal to those "on the outside?" I got married to my wife, Joy, when I was 27. I had vowed not to marry until I was firmly convinced, without a doubt, that she was "the one." I didn't marry because I was afraid of ending up alone, or just for the sake of being married. The concept of marriage was not an end in itself, it was simply the vehicle to an enormously fulfilling union of two individuals becoming one.

There was an attraction to my wife. When I was introduced to her I found her to be bright, funny, interesting, exciting and beautiful. My heart was smitten and no matter what, I knew I had to be with her.

Are we in love with Jesus? When we introduce him to others, are they drawn by something that's alluring and beautiful? Or, do they see an angry god who hates sinners and can't wait to see them roasting in hell?

Are we so focused on keeping them from hell that we skip the beauty of Christ and focus on wrath because the "decision" is the important thing? If so, what we end up with is the equivalent of getting married just to avoid being alone. That marriage, my friends, is doomed to failure, if not in legal terms, at least in essence... and that's what counts.

I've got one word for you... REPENT!