a few thoughts on putting the cart before the horse

My buddy John Turner has some interesting thoughts on one's person's approach to sneaky evangelism. A slice of his intro:

I have a friend, and my friend has a dream. His dream is to introduce everyone on planet earth to a particular lifestyle that I would describe as a “Kingdom Lifestyle”. Using a sophisticated psychological model, he is trying to help people live lives characterized by the peace that passes all understanding, lives of love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control.

And he’s been quite successful at this. He’s written a best-selling book. He’s appeared on nationally televised broadcasts. He speaks to large groups of people all across the country and is beginning to travel abroad, taking this message of peacemaking with him everywhere he goes.

He is also very discrete in his language. He is a Christian — a strong one at that. He went to a Christian college. He’s involved in his local church. He reads his Bible, and he prays before meals. But he doesn’t always sound like a Christian when you hear him speak. You won’t hear any Bible verses or biblical references. I’ve never heard him talk to an audience about sin or repentance or the need to be “born again”. Consequently, doors have opened for him to take his message into communities that might be hostile to more explicitly Christian speakers (like me).

Here are my comments to what he wrote:

Who are you talking about? Who are you talking about? Who are you talking about? Who are you talking about?

Sorry - I got distracted there. ;)

The fruit of the Spirit is an awful nice blessing. And I think it's "advertised" as such in some circles as the destination... a Christian version of the American dream, so to speak.

And just as the world can produce artificial fruit that tastes and smells like the real thing, it still isn't.

The fruit of the Spirit requires the Spirit. And the Spirit requires Jesus. And Jesus requires the Father. And that Trinity requires repentance in order to embrace grace in it's purest form... the form that tastes and sees that the Lord is good.

And yet while we know this, we find that grape flavored soda at Aldi's is cheaper than grape juice. Which is why I imagine more people opt for pop than the fruit of the Vine. (Spiritually, too.)

A great speaker can put butts in the seats.

But only a great God can put people into the Kingdom.

Read John's post in its entirety if you can. I'm interested in your take on what he wrote and my comments.