BLINDED PEOPLE

 II Corinthians 4:4

The god of this age [Satan] has blinded the minds of unbelievers, so that they cannot see the light of the gospel of the glory of Christ, who is the image of God.

Does it surprise you to hear an intelligent person referring to the reality of a being named Satan?  Have we really come so far that we now depersonalize the reality of this cosmic enemy of God?  

I believe in his reality for two reasons primarily:

1. The Bible clearly teaches his reality and even his authority in this world.
2. I see evidence of his influence in my life daily!

This very important verse reveals his tactics.  He blinds the minds of unbelievers!  In doing so, he prevents them from seeing the truth of the gospel - and therefore the glory of Christ who is the image of God.  

And the church keeps meeting and having committees and building bigger and nicer buildings.

Through some vital connections, I have been closely watching the developments in the country of  Myanmar.  Debbie and I spent a couple of weeks in Yangon some years ago.  We met the beautiful people there and saw their orphanages and schools.  They make much happen from very meager resources.  One church there served us 'foreigners' by washing all of our clothes for us and also by serving us a delicious meal.  I distinctly remember the line of teenage girls squatting at basins and washing our dishes as we finished our meal!  They understand servanthood!  

The military intervention that took place there a couple of months ago has cast the country into chaos and confusion.  This has happened repeatedly throughout their history.  The people are disappointed and angry.  Protests in the streets have cost lives.  None of this is secret;  with a simple search you can turn up reports and even videos.

And guess what?

The church is growing in converts as a result!  In desperate times, people turn to God!  

Now, many would say that we've been facing desperate times here in America over the past year.  Yet where is our harvest?  

I think there are two main explanations for this lack of spiritual renewal.

FIRST

The church is still focused on a 'come and see' approach.  We build beautiful facilities and try to get the crowd to come.  Churches use night-club contrivances, the latest video techniques, a constant barrage of new music and sermons bought from the most successful preachers in the country.  But what if lost people - for whatever reasons - just don't want to come to our churches?

SECOND

Christians are indistinguishable from spiritually lost people!  We look alike, dress alike, drink alike, talk the same, watch the same movies and TV shows, and our divorce rate is even higher than theirs!  BUT, we do go to church most Sundays!  That's our understanding of letting our light shine...

Yet, I'm trying to recall when Jesus spoke of gathering crowds to do evangelism.  What I do remember is Him telling His followers to GO INTO ALL THE WORLD AND MAKE DISCIPLES.  There's a creative thought!  Go to the lost!  Make friends with them.  Help them.  Serve them.  Influence them.  Go to where they are sick and dying (like Jesus did).  Feed the ones who are hungry (like Jesus did).  Attend their feasts (like Jesus did).  Develop a reputation of being a friend of sinners (like Jesus did).  

In doing these things, we rip Satan's hands from their minds and eyes!  We disarm Satan!  We show the love of Christ!  We reveal a Savior who can calm their fears, forgive their sins, and give them eternal hope!  

During our three years in China, the churches we were connected to would get extremely excited when Americans would come to teach them how to do church.  I had an ongoing discussion over this with a dear Chinese friend who shared this exuberance.  

The facts are that the Church grew phenomenally in China from the 1950's through the end of the century during severe times of persecution.  For four decades there was no outside presence in China!  The seed of faith planted by missionaries prospered and grew through the direct intervention of the Holy Spirit.  

I contended to my friend that the Chinese Church doesn't need to be taught by Americans.  The American Church is anemic and has failed in its mission.  It DESPERATELY needs an intervention from outside its borders!  

My prayer was and is:  God, protect China, Myanmar and other countries where You are at work from interventions by a church that has lost the fire and is nearly fruitless.  

Almighty God,

Thank You for the work You're doing in China, Myanmar, India, Cambodia and in many other places and countries! 

Renew Your work in the hearts and lives of American Christians!

Refresh Your Call on our lives.

Forgive our sins and lack of concern.

Open our eyes to Your mission - which is great in our land!

Make us a spiritual force in this world as we once were!

Help us to rebuild a platform that will give us the right to teach others and do it effectively and fruitfully.

For the Kingdom's sake.  Amen.