"I'm canceling my devotional subscription because you refuse to tackle the important issues; you're no longer relevant. In fact, I think you're a coward." "I'm canceling my devotional subscription because you refuse to lower your standards about what gets people into heaven." "I'm canceling my devotional subscription because you keep saying I have to share my faith."



In order, these are the three biggest reasons people write to tell us they're no longer reading Madetomatter. How should we respond? How should Christians behave in today's culture, which seems to invite us to war with unbelievers, and with each other?

Be on your guard; stand firm in the faith; be men of courage; be strong. Do everything in love. -I Corinthians 16:13-14

 

"I'm canceling my devotional subscription because you refuse to tackle the important issues; you're no longer relevant. In fact, I think you're a coward." "I'm canceling my devotional subscription because you refuse to lower your standards about what gets people into heaven." "I'm canceling my devotional subscription because you keep saying I have to share my faith."

 

     In order, these are the three biggest reasons people write to tell us they're no longer reading Madetomatter. How should we respond? How should Christians behave in today's culture, which seems to invite us to war with unbelievers, and with each other?

 

     When Jesus left His Kingdom in the hands of eleven bewildered, mostly blue-collar disciples-and an army of unnamed women-who would have believed that group could overcome the objections of the established religious order and the full fury of the mighty Roman Empire? Who could imagine their faith-Christianity-would become the most powerful force for good in the history of humanity? But it did, using a three-fold strategy of (a) never-deny-Jesus-as-Messiah, whatever the cost; (b) turn the other cheek every time you can, whatever the cost; and (c) no matter what, tell everyone you meet about Jesus, whatever the cost. 

 

     Life for a Christian is all about Jesus, and Jesus gave us three assignments we can never shrug off:

 

     Christians don't attract attention to Jesus when we shout. People are attracted to Jesus when we respond different than they expected us to respond. "Turn the other cheek" is the single biggest attention-getter Christianity's ever had, and it continues to be a simple way to invite even our enemies to see Jesus.

 

     No one comes for help to the harsh voices of faith; and no one comes for help to those willing to water down Jesus' mission, either. Real people seek out real faith when real trouble hits their world. We seek to be believers whom even the enemies of our faith approach when their daughter is diagnosed with cancer or their mother has dementia. We want to be known as go-to people for prayer and comfort in times of distress. How can shrill voices or watered-down principles draw the hurting or hungry in?

 

     We make no apologies for our faith in Jesus Christ. Nor are we less faithful to the canons of faith than those who would have us loose our cannons on the unbelievers. But we believe our priority is this: To act in such a way that our life and work invites even skeptics to see and consider the great love of God.