Mission Minded in America

WE ARE a Christian nation.  I hear this repeatedly.  It seems to be the mantra of most followers of Christ here in America, a mantra that seems cemented by the fact that most of the founders of this great land professed to be followers of the faith; it flows through the veins of our history; it is even reflected in our national motto:  In God We Trust.  Yes, it seems that everyone knows we are a Christian nation; especially the Christians.

This is both a blessing and a curse.  It is a blessing because it means that we enjoy a rich heritage of religious freedom.  As Christians we are sensitive to any attacks against that freedom that come our way; and even when we may not always be overly active in politics, we are quick to step up and speak out when religious liberty is threatened.  However, it is also a curse.  How so you say?  Allow me to explain...

American Christians are great at evangelizing- in other nations.  We are quick to run to other nations to spread the Gospel; and often when our missionaries go overseas they see great results- God moving in amazing ways, spreading revival throughout communities the missionaries work in, many people converting to become followers of Christ.  I will be the first to admit it is very exciting to hear the testimonies that missionaries have to share when they return from foreign soil.

However, we are not so quick to share the Gospel here.  It seems too often our mouths are more interested in praising our favorite sports team than we are praising God.  Our heart is more content seeking the American dream than seeking to fulfil the Great Commission.  We are more cautious with our words, which are chosen intentionally to ensure they do not offend those in this vast culture that may believe in something different.

And we have our excuses; sometimes they even sound good.  The one on my mind tonight though, is the following:  We are a Christian nation.  So perhaps I am missing something here...  Because we are a Christian nation, we as Christians are excused from sharing the Gospel here?  It saddens me to no end when people tell me this...  You see, in the mind of many Christians, so much of our culture revolves around Christianity that they really believe everyone here has already heard the good news...  There is no point in making a special effort, in living mission minded in this land- because everyone has heard it already, and they have either chosen to accept or reject it.

You may ask- why does this sadden you?  Isn't it true?  In this nation where Jesus is so prevalent that His name is even a common curse word, shouldn't we turn more attention to other lands and not be so concerned about it here?  After all, we will probably just offend others anyway, and then we will be labeled as self-righteous people who are just some weird kind of zealot...

Well?  Is it true?

Tonight I had the opportunity to speak with a couple of teenagers about Jesus Christ.  I asked them who they thought He was.  Their response?  He was a guy who taught some religious stuff.  I asked them if they knew what sin was.  Would you believe they didn't?  They genuinely did not know what it meant to be a sinner!!  It was a great joy that God allowed me to explain the Gospel to them-  it is with greater joy that I have a new brother and sister in Christ when all was said and done...  But the reason and purpose for this blog is not to shine a light on that, but rather on this fact:  So many of us assume that everyone in America has heard the Gospel, that everyone knows what sin is, that everyone knows who Jesus is; we become so convinced of this that we make little or no effort to evangelize our neighbors, our co-workers, or families, our friends, or whoever else God places in our path...

The fact is, there are a lot of Americans that we have placed labels and assumptions on, who don't fit in to it at all.  The reality is that this society is so exposed to the Gospel that many of the lost have become desensitized to it's message, never getting the whole of the truth.  The reality is that too often we replace genuine evangelism with bumper sticker and t-shirt slogans, giving out only a half-hearted morsel of the whole loaf of the bread of life. 

The reality is, here in America, Jesus' Words apply greatly :  "The harvest is plentiful, but the workers are few."

May I ask a question?  When was the last time you shared the Gospel with someone?  When was the last time you took a friend or co-worker aside and said, "can I tell you about Someone who has completely changed my life?"  When was the last time you saw someone hurting and you offered to pray for them- not just when you got home or when you remembered to, but stopped right there, stopped what you were doing, and prayed WITH them?  When was the last time you were intentional about being mission minded here in America? 

I must confess- too often I am not.  It grieves me to think of missed opportunities because I fell into the trap of believing "they have probably already heard it"... 

Jesus never said, "Go-unless you think they already know."

Does that mean every time we share people will choose to accept Christ right then and there?  No.  Jesus was clear that many will reject Him, few will follow.  But you see that part isn't up to us.  It isn't for us to make the decision for them, and it isn't for us to get discouraged and give up when they don't.  What is for us is to be obedient.  And what is for us is that when we are obedient, we will see God move!  You see, I really believe Jesus' Words, the harvest IS plentiful here in America!  There are so many that have yet to hear the truth in our own backyard! 

Do me a favor would ya?  Let's agree together to be intentionally mission minded in THIS Country, in OUR state, in OUR city, in OUR neighborhood- you and me!  What do you say? 

I believe God will move and use us in an extraordinary way if we will commit to that!  Let's be a part of His harvest here in America!