Make All Things New

Mark Gali recently wrote in Christianity Today:

Francis of Assisi is said to have said, “Preach the gospel at all times; when necessary, use words.”

This saying is carted out whenever someone wants to suggest that Christians talk about the gospel too much, and live the gospel too little. Fair enough—that can be a problem. Much of the rhetorical power of the quotation comes from the assumption that Francis not only said it but lived it.

The problem is that he did not say it. Nor did he live it. And those two contra-facts tell us something about the spirit of our age.

I have to admit, I’ve never liked that quote so it was encouraging to read this article.

All too often I like to think that there is truth in it (but that is just sin creeping in). The gospel is a message proclaimed not a deed done. Acts of mercy can point people to the gospel but they will never save anyone. O that I would have more boldness in heralding the Good News and not trying to hide behind my good works.

Earlier this week, our small backyard shed was broken into and the lawn mower and power edger were stolen. It seems we are having a bit of a crime wave in our small, suburban town. A number houses have been broken into and now a few lawn mowers have been stolen as well.

While I don’t mean to minimize these crimes (the police told me they suspect it is all drug related so that’s no good anywhere), I do find it highly ironic that – for all the warnings we have received about the dangers of moving to the city of Philadelphia – we’ve been victims of crime on more than one occasion here in the suburbs. I jokingly tell people, “We need to move to Philly quick, because the suburbs are dangerous!”

I am not writing this to try to demonize the suburbs or even making fun of them. My point is that sin is sinful and all around, no matter where you live. Crime occurs as a result of our lineage in Adam, not our place on a map.

Perhaps the most dangerous place to be has little to do with where we live but what we believe. Thinking that people are safer in the suburbs simply because the crime rate may be lower is one of the dangers of the suburbs. If we think we are safer because the crime is lower, could we not be lulled into complacency about the real problem? The real problem is sin. And the real danger is missing sin’s presence because of crime’s absence. I’m not suggesting that all suburbanities are disillusioned, simply sounding a warning to consider.

We must not be forgetful or ignorant of the sin and around us and most importantly, the sin within us. If comfort and security comes from where we live, we must fight it. Our battle is not merely with the crime and criminals of this world but with the evil powers that blind the minds and hearts of people (Ephesians 6:12. 2 Corinthians 4:4). Therefore, our only hope, our true security and comfort comes from Jesus, the One who has already defeated and overcome these evil powers.