missio

Distance, with regards to the Gospel, is a vitally important concept. In fact, it’s basic to the understanding of the Gospel. Jesus, by way of the Incarnation, shortened the distance between heaven and earth, and indeed, God and man. We are by default far from God, but through Jesus, we are reunited and reconciled to God.

My thinking on this is that, as we are supposed to imitate Jesus, aren’t we as Christians supposed to shorten the distance between the culture and Jesus? In my mind, there are two barriers or “trenches” between the Southern, Bible-belt non-regenerate person [ sinner for short ] and a saving knowledge of Christ, as given by the Church (Ephesians 3:10).

The first barrier is that of culture. The Church, in their mind, is outdated, antiquated, irrelevant, judgmental, and hypocritical. And for the most part, they are right. But as Christians, the cultural barrier is our responsibility. We are to build a bridge over this trench ourselves, with assistance from the Spirit. That is, our job is to shorten the distance between the sinner and Christ.

The second barrier is that of sin. Sin separates man from mankind, man from self , man from creation, and ultimately, man from Creator. This barrier we (both sinner and saved) are incapable of overcoming. This bridge is built, this distance shortened, by God Himself. The Father sovereignly elects to reveal His Son by His Spirit to the unregenerate, the distance is infinitely shortened between sinner and Savior, and yet another prodigal returns home to His Father.

My question to you is this: how can we as Christians shorten the distance between sinner and Christ? That is, how can we overcome the first barrier, that of culture?

Comments?