MYTH #17-JESUS WANTS US TO CHANGE THE WORLD

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This is a myth that penetrates ministry efforts around the world. There is a constant man-made effort to organize the message of Jesus into a standardized methodology. So, over the years many methods have been created and promoted to be the best ways, and sometimes the only ways, ministry is done. Examples of these methods are gospel tracts, such as the "Four Spiritual Laws", altar calls at the end of the church service, conversion tactics on the mission field or use of a certain bible translation. These methods are employed to do what we think Jesus wants us to do-to change the world.

The damage is fourfold: FIRST-If you think you must change the world, you will create an agenda for every person you approach. If a person is from a different religious persuasion, then your agenda is to talk them out of their religion and into yours. If a person believes in evolution, then your agenda is to argue with him about creation. If a person is doing something you want him to change, then your agenda is to figure out a way to change him. There are so many noble causes in our society that have become major agendas that get in the way of really changing the world-like fighting over the homosexual agenda or fighting abortion or fighting over family value issues or arguing over politics.

SECOND-If you think you must change the world, you believe you are "right" and disrespect all others from different backgrounds.

THIRD-If you think you must change the world, then you may not include the only one who can change those in your world of influence-Jesus.

FOURTH-If you think you must change the world, then you tend to think you are in charge of the results and actually making the changes happen.

To debunk this myth we need only observe the life and methodology of Jesus. Jesus always worked with the needs of the person He encountered. In other words, Jesus allowed the needs of the person to dictate His approach.

Therefore, Jesus never approached two people in the same way. His relationship with each person is so unique.

No matter what the need was that Jesus encountered, He was always the answer. There may be a physical or mental healing, but He, personally, was the solution to everyone's problem. I love the theoretical conversation that goes like this: Man: I have a problem; it's me! Jesus: I have the answer; it's Me!

Jesus doesn't want us to change the world. That's a myth. Jesus is the only one who is able to change a person's heart and therefore the only one who can change the world. All we can do is to introduce Jesus into the situation with the world around us. We must become convinced that our primary and only effective role is to advance the conversation of Jesus in our world.

Congressman Mark Siljander has summarized the approach he has used in international negotiations with some of the most difficult situations in our world. It is a strategy for introducing Jesus-the universal change-agent-into most any encounter. (Siljander's new book, A Deadly Misunderstanding, is to be released on October 7th, which contains the essence of this approach.) The four phases of Siljander's approach are the following. First, he says if you want to see real change, it's important to begin with no agenda whatsoever. If you have an agenda, you will trigger a variety of defenses and will face major resistance. Don't approach someone with what's on your mind, but seek what's on his or her mind.

Secondly, he says if you want to see real change, you must incorporate unconditional love. When you show genuine love to someone, you will respect them and their differing positions they hold. You don't have to agree with them; just love them in the spirit and specificity of I Corinthians 13.

Thirdly, he says if you want to see real change, you must introduce Jesus without religious baggage. It's in the spirit of Jesus that you can truly love someone unconditionally. The power of Jesus' name introduces a dynamic into the equation that is immeasurable. At the name of Jesus, something good and supernatural happens.

Fourthly, he says if you want to see real change, you must count on the Spirit of Jesus to make the changes in the person's heart. In other words, you continue to get out of the way, once you've introduced Jesus, and watch Him work. Leave the results to Him.

This strategy works, not only in the toughest of international negotiations, but in your family, in your community and in your business. Jesus doesn't want us to change anyone anywhere. He wants us to touch people He brings to us with no agenda and unconditional love as we introduce Jesus into the mix and count on His Spirit to make the changes. You and I aren't going to change anybody, but Jesus can make that change in everyone you encounter in His time and in His way.