We have now a plain work – simply the work of the Lord and no other. We have nothing to preach but the gospel, nothing to believe but the truth of God, nothing to do but the will of God, and nothing to hope for only what is promised in the word of God. Our work is not new and untried, but old, well tried, and nothing can stand before us. We have truth and righteousness to maintain – sin and the world to oppose. We can make change only at our peril – no departure without losing all. We started simply to be the people of God, and to give ourselves unreservedly to the Lord. We can not turn away.
– by Benjamin Franklin (gospel preacher, 1812-1878)
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Searching for Non-Extremists?
Awhile back, a ‘Christian college’ announced the search for a candidate to replace their retiring president. A review committee was appointed to set standards and cull applicants for the job. The college newsletter published their ‘candidate profile’ describing the kind of man they desired for the job. Among other things, he needed to be “recognized as a dedicated, active Christian . . . not an extremist.”
Unfortunately, the sentiments of this presidential search committee are becoming all too prevalent among God’s people. We want Christianity that is watered-down and non-offensive, so much so that a Christian could be “recognized” as “dedicated” and “active”, yet still not be viewed as an “extremist” by anyone. Sounds incredible, doesn’t it?
In reality, faithful Christians have been viewed as extremists ever since the church began. After all, when a man is willing to lay down his life for a cause, that’s extreme! And that is exactly what happened in the first century (Acts 7:57-60), and many times since then, too.
Would the apostle Paul have been a suitable candidate for this college presidency? Apparently not, for he was certainly considered as an extremist. His faith and zeal caused him to branded by unbelievers as madman (Acts 26:24), and a “pestilent fellow (trouble-maker), and a mover of sedition among all the Jews throughout the world, and a ringleader of the sect of the Nazarenes” (Acts 24:5). Obviously, we need more men like Paul, and fewer of the stripe desired by this college review committee.
Unless we are somehow trying to be ‘better’ than our Lord, we will have to accept the fact that our lives and our teaching will be offensive to those who are of the world (Matt. 15:12-14). We need to stop trying to please men, and be more determined to please God. “For if I yet pleased men, I should not be the servant of Christ” (Gal. I: 10). The Lord is looking for extremists!!!
– by Greg Gwin
