A Warning to Westerners
Author’s Note: I hesitated to compose this article because of its gloomy overtone. That said, this morning in my quiet time, I was moved very powerfully toward this tone and could not ignore the heaviness upon my heart to write what was going through my mind.
Paul tells the church at Thessalonica, “you became an example to all the believers in Macedonia and in Achaia,” 1 Thessalonians 1:7. The Thessalonian church became a witness, not only to the lost, but the rest of the church throughout the region. The preceding verses tell us several things. The gospel had been clearly presented to them in the power of the Holy Spirit. Because of this, they became Christ followers as they followed the example which Paul and his companions had lived out before them. Because their faith was genuine, they endured in their faith in the face of persecution and hardship. And even though they were afflicted, the joy of the Holy Spirit was evident in their lives. It is no surprise that these people became an example to the surrounding church. Oh that we would do the same!
It is my dream, my ambition in life, to see the church become this vibrant again. The 21st century, Western church is not lacking in books, in mp3′s, in video feeds of sermons which try to ignite this vibrancy once again. If you notice, though, the Thessalonians had none of this, yet they shone like the sun to the surrounding region! We have a glut of authors, we have a glut of Bible translations, yet we are still but an ember, left over from what was once a raging fire, in danger of being snuffed out. If the Western church ceased to exist tomorrow, God’s church would still exist in other areas of the world, and God’s commitment to save a people from all tribes and nations would still stand fulfilled. Scary. We walk a dangerous road in our extra-marital romance with the world. We, in the West, risk being spat out, just like the church at Laodicea. Would that we would heed the living Christ’s advice to the Laodiceans:
“17 For you say, I am rich, I have prospered, and I need nothing, not realizing that you are wretched, pitiable, poor, blind, and naked. 18 I counsel you to buy from me gold refined by fire, so that you may be rich, and white garments so that you may clothe yourself and the shame of your nakedness may not be seen, and salve to anoint your eyes, so that you may see. 19 Those whom I love, I reprove and discipline, so be zealous and repent.” Revelation 3:17-19
We Westerners are the most literate, Bible inundated, well taught, technologically advanced branch of the church in all of history. We will be accountable for much because we have been given much. The preacher of the gospel in the West may be the most frustrated of all men because despite his best efforts, despite his reliance upon the Holy Spirit, he feels like Jeremiah. The people do not really listen to him; they pay the gospel little mind, if any. There are precious jewels in the rough to be found (I am fortunate to be a part of one of those jewels), but by far, the experience of many Western preachers is one of frustration, and were it not for their love of their Savior and his church, they would quit at their earliest opportunity.
You need to know, however, that I am optimistic. I believe that there is a root in the Western church, a remnant, that is experiencing a renewed passion for Jesus. I am optimistic that the Western church has some future days of great strength yet to come. But the question we all should be asking is, will the presence of a remnant stave off the judgment which is coming to God’s house? My answer is no. If God allowed Shiloh and Jerusalem, two of the most holy and special places on the earth to his heart, to be sacked and ruined, why would we be any different? If you think that America has some special place in God’s heart, just remember that on top of his mountain, in Jerusalem, sits a mosque. Am I optimistic? Yes I am, but I am also aware that any future days of spiritual power in the Western church may come at great personal cost. Be ready.
