The Unforgivable Sin
There is a sin that is so awful that it is unforgivable. It is feared most by clergy. It is not what you may suppose. It is not mentioned by the prophets, apostles, or even our Lord. But it has become the sin to be feared the most in the modern age. Wonder what it is? It is the sin of being irrelevant.
People will do anything to keep from falling into this sin. Preachers are the most careful. A man may be called careless, liberal, progressive, or even outrageous. But don't let him be called irrelevant. That would be the death of his public life, ministry, and influence.
Because the fear of not being relevant is so great, extreme measures must be taken to keep one's finger on the pulse of popular society. Hours of time are given to watching the latest television programs, keeping apace with the top sports teams, and listening to the latest bands on the top 40 list. In addition there is the ever changing lingo. We have to be aware of the latest catch phases of those who are cool. In this regard it is the celebrities who are gods. Their every move must be scrutinized and trumpeted to the nation for the people have a right to know.
So I wonder, what would happen if a man came along that didn't give a whit about all this relevance stuff? Instead, he concerned himself with what is important to God. He spent long hours in prayer, gave himself to fasting, divested himself of all worldly goods to care for the poor, and preached uncompromisingly of righteousness, self-control, and the judgment to come. I am sure I do know what would happen- the same thing that always happens. The public would not stand for it. They would hunt down such a man, pressure him to recant his politically incorrect statements, and publicly crucify him if he did not. Isn't this exactly what happened to the prophets, the apostles, and our Lord?
I am confronted with the sober truth that I am not this man either. Rather, like many of my weaker brothers and sisters, I too am worried that perhaps I will commit the unpardonable sin of irrelevance. But I long that God will make me other. In the meantime, it is my prayer that God will raise up such a man. For hell will shake and the world will be turned upside down (or rightside up) by such a man. Furthermore, I pray that God will raise up a whole generation of such. For only then will God's kingdom come and His will be done on earth as it is in heaven.
Lord, make of us such people! Amen!
People will do anything to keep from falling into this sin. Preachers are the most careful. A man may be called careless, liberal, progressive, or even outrageous. But don't let him be called irrelevant. That would be the death of his public life, ministry, and influence.
Because the fear of not being relevant is so great, extreme measures must be taken to keep one's finger on the pulse of popular society. Hours of time are given to watching the latest television programs, keeping apace with the top sports teams, and listening to the latest bands on the top 40 list. In addition there is the ever changing lingo. We have to be aware of the latest catch phases of those who are cool. In this regard it is the celebrities who are gods. Their every move must be scrutinized and trumpeted to the nation for the people have a right to know.
So I wonder, what would happen if a man came along that didn't give a whit about all this relevance stuff? Instead, he concerned himself with what is important to God. He spent long hours in prayer, gave himself to fasting, divested himself of all worldly goods to care for the poor, and preached uncompromisingly of righteousness, self-control, and the judgment to come. I am sure I do know what would happen- the same thing that always happens. The public would not stand for it. They would hunt down such a man, pressure him to recant his politically incorrect statements, and publicly crucify him if he did not. Isn't this exactly what happened to the prophets, the apostles, and our Lord?
I am confronted with the sober truth that I am not this man either. Rather, like many of my weaker brothers and sisters, I too am worried that perhaps I will commit the unpardonable sin of irrelevance. But I long that God will make me other. In the meantime, it is my prayer that God will raise up such a man. For hell will shake and the world will be turned upside down (or rightside up) by such a man. Furthermore, I pray that God will raise up a whole generation of such. For only then will God's kingdom come and His will be done on earth as it is in heaven.
Lord, make of us such people! Amen!
posted by Patrick at 6:06 PM
2 Comments:
The question is, of course, relevant for whom?
May we only be found guilty of walking in the footsteps of our Lord. It is the call of Advent: prepare the way of the Lord!
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