Joyfully Confronting

Someone once wisely said that whoever claims to stand for the truth of God’s Word, yet fails to address with his generation those parts they are undermining through skepticism, does not truly measure up to his profession. I believe that pattern of thinking is also true of leadership. Whoever claims to lead others, yet fails to address with those around him the areas in which they need to grow, is not carrying out his full responsibility.

I have come to see recently that this is one of my greatest weaknesses. Of course, as I attempt to change course, the knee-jerk reaction is to do this as a jerk. “I can’t believe you are dropping the ball on this!  Why don’t you get with the program or we will find someone else who will!”  Of course, this not only does little good, it is not the approach that best serves the Bridegroom and his bride.

This week, as I was studying Luke 12:13-34, the way in which the Lord Jesus himself went about confrontation made me sit up and take note. As Jesus was teaching in the midst of a crowd, a man called out to Jesus and requested that he settle a dispute between the man and his brother over an inheritance. Unwilling to do this, the Lord instead warned the man, the crowd, and all subsequent readers of the Gospel against covetousness since “life does not consist in the abundance…possessions.”

To prove this point, Jesus told a parable of a wealthy farmer who was focused in his endeavors on simply amassing more things—thinking they would be the source of his satisfaction and joy. As he was preparing for an expansion project, he died an untimely death and met God in judgment before he was ready. Jesus concluded the parable by saying this is what happens with anyone who is trying to find their treasure and pleasure merely in the stuff of this life, rather than living to be rich toward God. The point he made, then, to the man, the crowd, the disciples, and us is this:  Don’t settle just for the stuff of life on this earth. Rather strive for greater treasure in God! Jesus implied that our perspective is changed not merely by seeing the danger of a sinful impulse or desire. Rather, it happens by focusing our affections on a greater source of joy.

Next, the teacher drove the teaching home with even greater force to his disciples, exhorting them not to be anxious about mere material things, but instead to trust in God, to believe he is our Heavenly Father, knows what we need, and will supply our needs, if we will seek first his kingdom. The reason we can do this is because the Father joyfully decided in eternity to give all of his little sheep the kingdom in full measure. What this means is that for all eternity the Father will lavish more and more on us than we could ever dream or imagine. With that certainty tucked into the pocket of our memory, we should, for example, grab our wallet out of our pant packet and radically give to those in need. The result will be riches far greater and infinitely more lasting than what we will have by merely living for self.

So, notice what Jesus does here with those whose hearts are nothing more than soggy embers before God. He blasts them not merely with warnings or a discussion of how bad “things” are or simply how dangerous covetousness is (although he does briefly cover that). He pours on the gasoline of promised future treasure and then lights it with the call to greater joy.

I know there is a lesson here for me! Rather than merely placing my focus on the fact that people aren’t getting in step with my ministry agenda, I should instead grieve for them since they are settling for something or someone so much less than the Savior, and I should cast vision before them of the greater joy they can have in loving Jesus and others radically.

Bottom-line, as a joyful follower of Jesus I should practice joyful confrontation. Pray for me that I can remember this and I will pray for you to do the same in all those situations when you have to light a fire among impossibly soggy hearts.