21

I don't get it. Why is it that when kids turn 21 they think they need to buy and consume alcohol? Is there some sort of rite of passage that I missed? Is there some great temptation that overcomes them, or is it just because they can? Does it magically turn them into adults? Perhaps it makes them feel better about themselves. Maybe it's just peer pressure. I wonder, did they smoke a cigarette when they turned 18? Is that the same thing? Are they going to go rent a car at the age of 25?

I find it odd that one of the first things a person does with their newfound responsibilities as an adult is to do something that is irresponsible? (I know, I know, I can hear all of the "adult beverage" drinker's protest: "I drink responsibly." "I don't drink and drive." "I can handle it. I'm always in control." "The Bible doesn't really say it's sinful. The apostle Paul told Timothy..." blah, blah, blah.)

I guess my point is not to argue about the immorality of drinking (that's for another discussion), but instead to consider the message Paul told the Corinthians. Paul wrote that just because something is lawful, does not mean it's beneficial (1 Corinthians 10:23).

Hmmm. Just because you turn 21 and can legally buy and drink booze, does not mean it's beneficial. He wasn't being legalistic. He didn't say they were going to hell. He simply wanted them to move their lives toward holiness.

Am I there...holiness, that is? Nope. Do I want to get all legalistic on you? Nope. Am I going to encourage you to move your life toward holiness and purity as I am trying to do the same in my own life? Absolutely!

Just something to think about.

Counting Conversions, pt. 2

Often times the measure of success for a church or ministry is based on the number of decisions or how many people are involved in ministry. Luke recorded some growth numbers in the book of Acts (2:41; 5:14; 11:24). It isn't wrong to measure success mathematically, but how we define "decisions" can be misleading. Some count the number of hands raised while heads are bowed. Others teach that all you need to do is to pray a simple life-changing prayer. Honestly, I think these sort of things lead people to think that we can save ourselves by making a "decision." And let's not forget to point the finger at ourselves. How many have been baptized thinking that was it, and yet their life doesn't come close to resembling a disciple of Christ. Ouch!

George Whitefield, who was a leader in the 18th century Great Awakening, said "There are so many stony ground hearers, who receive the Word with joy, that I have determined to suspend my judgment till I know the tree by its fruits. I cannot believe they are converts till I see fruit brought back; it will never do a sincere soul any harm."

A century later, Charles Spurgeon said "Do not, therefore, consider that soul-winning is or can be secured by the multiplication of baptisms, and the swelling of the size of your church… Lay aside such numberings of the people, such idle pretence of certifying in half a minute that which will need the testing of a lifetime."

These two preachers of the past reflected the teachings of Jesus who said "All men will know that you are My disciples, if you have love for one another" (John 13:35).

Do the seeds of the Gospel still fall on rocky, hard-pan soil, or among thorns? Certainly. So how do we know the composition of a person's conversion soil? FRUIT. True conversion is the supernatural work of God bringing about a changed heart (good soil), which naturally leads to a change in our behavior. Changed behavior (from ours to Christ's) bears good fruit. This is good soil conversion – and from good soil comes good fruit.

Have you made a decision for Christ? If so, praise God, but we will know that you are a truly a Christian (a follower of Christ) by your love (fruit).

Counting Conversions, pt. 1

In our church newsletter was a list of individuals who recently made a decision for Christ. That's exciting! It isn't about bragging or displaying a trophy on the mantle, but rather so you can celebrate along with them. However, this has caused me to wonder and ponder this whole idea of reporting decisions.

We see it often: A church holds a revival, or a special play or concert, and then claims hundreds or even thousands of decisions for Christ. A sports ministry claims 5,000 decisions in one year. A movie leads to 12,000 decisions in a month. A crusade reports 1,800 decisions in one weekend. I've even read where one man's ministry claims to have influenced over one million decisions for Christ. Really? I'm impressed…I think.

Maybe I'm being too pragmatic, but are preachers more persuasive today? Are we creating an environment that's more conducive for people to accept Christ? Have our methods of evangelism improved so dramatically over the past century that our success stories now dwarf the efforts of some of history's greatest missionaries? Consider this:

William Carey, who is known as the father of modern missions, was in India for seven years before he baptized his first convert.

David Livingstone, who pioneered medical mission work, served eight years in Africa before seeing anyone converted.

Adoniram Judson, who is believed to have been the first missionary sent from North America, was in Burma six years before he saw one person come to Christ.

Hudson Taylor who immersed himself in the language and culture of China, waited ten years!

With that bit of information from church history, how can we explain the fact that a group of students on a week-long mission trip, claiming hundreds of converts, end up being radically more effective in initial outreach than the most well-known missionaries in church history? Were the missionaries of the past simply not smart enough or passionate enough to come up with innovative and culturally relevant outreach techniques? Was God not moving then as He does today? Could it be that there is really some massive revival going on today, that wasn't going on during the greatest century of missions?

Or could it be (and I think it is) that Christian ministers and missionaries of past centuries looked at lasting conversions, where as today we're more concerned about counting immediate "decisions".

Next week, I'll explain. Here's a hint – it has something to do with fruit.