Whatever it Takes
The past few Sundays we have been focusing on growing in our ability to care for our neighbors through a special sermon series called, “The Art of Neighboring.” I am motivated to take this more seriously by outspoken atheist Penn Jillette, of the magician duo Penn & Teller. In a video blog after one of his shows, he made a statement that I cannot ignore. He described a man who came up to him after a show to share a bible and talk with him about faith. In response, Jillette said, “I mean, if I believed, beyond the shadow of a doubt, that a truck was coming at you, and you didn’t believe that truck was bearing down on you, there is a certain point where I tackle you. And this is more important than that.”
Jilette continued, “I’ve always said that I don’t respect people who don’t proselytize. I don’t respect that at all. If you believe that there’s a heaven and a hell, and people could be going to hell or not getting eternal life, and you think that it’s not really worth telling them this because it would make it socially awkward—and atheists who think people shouldn’t proselytize and who say just leave me alone and keep your religion to yourself—how much do you have to hate somebody to not proselytize? How much do you have to hate somebody to believe everlasting life is possible and not tell them that?”
What a provocative statement. “How much do you have to HATE someone to not tell them…?” I think the letter of Jude in the Bible shares that type of motivation for sharing the gospel. Jude bluntly talks about hell in his little book as an act of sweet kindness. You may find his words harsh and even a bit shocking, but they are also very true. “Now I want to remind you, although you once fully knew it, that Jesus, who saved a people out of the land of Egypt, afterward destroyed those who did not believe. And the angels who did not stay within their own position of authority, but left their proper dwelling, he has kept in eternal chains under gloomy darkness until the judgment of the great day— just as Sodom and Gomorrah and the surrounding cities, which likewise indulged in sexual immorality and pursued unnatural desire, serve as an example by undergoing a punishment of eternal fire.” (Jude 1:5-7 ESV)
Let’s be honest, we don’t always describe hell with such bluntness: “punishment of eternal fire.” But Jude goes there…why? Because he loves his listeners so much that he did not want to allow them to miss this eternal truth. I think we might need that reminder this week, as we think about being better neighbors, as we think about pursuing those who are close to us but far from Jesus. We need to remember that if we believe this is true, it should motivate us to diligently share even the inconvenient truths of eternity and the grace of Jesus.
Later in the book, Jude uses these powerful words, “And have mercy on those who doubt; save others by snatching them out of the fire; to others show mercy with fear…” (Jude 1:22-23 ESV) We are boldly called to graciously and mercifully pull them out of the fire. May we have the courage to pursue others this week with the gospel!
Expectantly,
Shawn
