Don't Be A Typical Christian

John 17:15 - "I'm not asking You [God] to take them out of the world... "

This is just one line out of an entire chapter that records Jesus praying. Just to know that Jesus prayed for us is amazing; you should read it some time... Anyhow, the part that stood out to me was this statement: "I'm not asking you to take them out of the world..."

It's really funny to think about how Christians live their lives. I can remember that when I decided to be a follower of Christ, the church I attended taught: "Now that you're a Christian, you need to stop hanging out with your non-christian friends, stop listening to non-christian music, don't participate in non-christian activities like school dances." My parents wouldn't even let me go to the movie theaters to watch any movies because they were non-christian.

In the 80's (their back by the way), Christian schools, christian music, christian clothing, christian TV and christian bumper stickers became big. Now, I'm only guessing, but what was the motive behind that? Was it because the "world" was enemy? Was it such a dark and evil place, that we had to remove ourselves from these influences?

Sad to say, many of the christian who grew up with such teaching find themselves today not having any relationships or connections with anyone who isn't a christian. So the thought of bringing your non-christian friends to church is difficult for them because they don't know any. Statistically, less than 3% of American churches are growing. Some say it's because the preacher isn't charismatic enough, or the music isn't up to date... what about the fact that most christian people have removed themselves from a natural mission field... the world. Our schools, our work place, the neighborhoods, the ball games, the bowling leagues... these are the places that Jesus has called us to be an influence. (BTW - not everyone who goes to christian schools, has a christian bumper sticker on their car, or wears a christian t-shirt is a christian)

Look around you, in all the arenas of your life. There are people, and no matter what they may be involved with, or the lifestyle they live; all of them are loved by God and He desires that they would know the reality of who He is. God isn't sending angels to their door once a week to tell them about Jesus. God has called us to be people of influence in this world. Don't pull out of the world and the circles of people who don't believe like you or talk like you. Be in their world... just a God came to ours through Jesus Christ. You may have to deliberately go and introduce yourself to people you don't know. You see them at the gym, the grocery store, school, at your kids soccer games or favorite resturaunt. Invite new people out for coffee or to the house for a BBQ. Double date for dinner and a movie... don't take yourself out of the world!