Separation or Assimilation

I was really convicted by something that I read in my daily studies the other day.  In Acts 2:40, Peter tells the new Christians there to avoid the corruption of the society that they live in.  Do I do that?

I think there are a few different directions that people go with this.  One option is to, for lack of a better term, ‘Go Amish!’  In other words, totally remove yourself, as much as possible, from the society that we live in.  I must confess that this route is often very appealing to me.  The plain, simple life that many of these communities offer would suit me quite well.  But I’m not sure that the Bible here, and other places is calling us to separate ourselves from the world.  It’s the whole, ‘in the world, but not of the world…’ thing.

Another approach that seems to be gaining popularity is to be as similar to the society around us as possible!  The idea here is to be almost exactly like the people that you live and work around, by doing this, you show them that minimal change is necessary to become a Christian.  Since most people don’t like change, this is often appealing to them.  I am disturbed by this approach on many different levels, but I guess I’m most distressed by the fact that, though I disagree with this in my mind, my life agrees with it on a fairly regular basis!

As is so often the case, I think Christ describes and exemplifies a ‘middle path’.  The way of the gospel is to live different priorities than the rest of our society, but live them IN that society! Separating myself is not an option, nor is assimilating myself!

Peter calls me to be saved from the corruption of this world….I know this sounds stupid, but that must mean that there is something inherent in society that is dangerous and bad.  If I, as a Christian, know this to be true, WHY do I keep running after everything this society has to offer???

And the funny(tragic) part of all of this is, that many of those who are immersed in this culture that looks so green from our side of the fence, know it to be terrible, but lack the courage or knowledge to walk a different path!  This is where you come in with the gospel that Christ has shared with you!

You don’t reach the lost by telling them that the way they are now is just fine….that’s like having an ‘Everything’s OK!’ alarm that is only on when nothing is wrong….it’s nonsensical!   You don’t reach the lost by separating yourself from them and pretending that they are not there.

You reach the lost by living among them, ala Jesus of Nazareth.  How disappointed would you  be in Jesus if he had come to Earth to spend all of his time with the religious elite?  So why do you think it’s ok for you to do that??

You reach the lost by living among them, but showing them that there is a better way!  Jesus lived among the people, but demonstrated a life of selfless care for those around him.  He lived to share the message that God wants to be united with those that are willing to follow after Him.  This is a hard message, and obviously not everyone responded well to it.

But that’s the beauty of Christ’s life!  People had to respond!  Love him or hate him, people responded to Christ’s life.  Maybe that’s ultimately what I’m afraid of….if I really live for Christ and die to self….if I really live in the world showing others what Christ was all about….I might get a response…

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