Even You.

Isn’t it interesting how even a good thing, when lacking its balance, can become a bad thing.  A piece of chocolate cake can make a happy statement after a satisfying meal, but eating the entire cake in place of the meal can make us feel like we’re dying.  I suppose that’s what they meant when coining the popular expression “Too much of a good thing.”

In an attempt to rebel against the pernicious human proclivity toward judgmentalism, well-meaning Christians have, for centuries, raced to the defense of the poor, the marginalized, the “tax-collectors and sinners,” rightly noting that these are the very people Jesus often ministered to.  And this is a good thing.

But for all the good that has been accomplished, I fear we may have erred in another way.  

Timothy Keller addresses what he calls “different forms of pharisee-ism” in his book The Reason for God.  The first form is what typically comes to mind – those who feel it is their duty to identify and judge the sin in others.  But the second group is those who strictly judge and condemn the first group.  On the surface, it appears that these are the champions of the oppressed – the ones bold enough to call out the prudes and righteously “stiff”.  But inevitably neither group is acting in love, or following in the example of Christ, and so both groups are in the wrong.

But Jesus hated the Pharisees and religious leaders, didn’t he?

Not at all.

In fact, quite the contrary!

Jesus loves the Pharisees and the Scribes and Religious leaders!  In fact He even loved them enough to die for their freedom and salvation – that they may have victory in their lives over the powers of death, sin and satan; that they may have life abundant – to the max!

There is a horribly sad quip surrounding modern seminaries to the effect that pastoral students would first need to “get a testimony” (presumably by engaging in wild living) before they would be qualified to pastor a local community – in order to “relate” to their congregation.

The underlying message, I dare say, echoes what many in the Church believe today, that God can only use the broken, the marginalized, the weak and poor and tax-collectors and sinners… or at least that’s who He prefers to use to further His kingdom.  

Really?

So what about Nicodemus?  What about Simon?  What about the Apostle Paul?  

These three Pharisees are mentioned by name in the gospels (including Luke-Acts) as having had significant personal, life-altering encounters with Jesus.  

In fact, in Luke 7:36-50 we see that while the forgiven woman remained unnamed in this narrative, Simon (the Pharisee) is called by name.  Outside of high appointments in political and religious offices, it seems that the only times specific names are recorded in the gospels are for members of the early Church – followers of ‘The Way’ – followers of Christ.  

From what little we have to go on, it seems perfectly reasonable that Simon (the Pharisee) went on to support and build the Church, playing the role that he could.

Several years back I was having a conversation with an agnostic friend of mine, and he reflected on an “extreme testimony” he had heard (something to the effect of the worst of the worst sinner… drugs… prison… etc… found Christ – life radically transformed).  I will never forget the honesty and candor as my friend said, “I just can’t relate to that kind of story/testimony.”

It hit me then, and has stayed with me ever since, that God doesn’t need for us to “get a testimony” before He can use us.  

God doesn’t only use the worst of the worst – although He certainly can, and often does.  

God can also use the faithful, the righteous, the holy ones.  

God can use the smart ones, the artistic ones and the steadfast ones – and He often does.

Perhaps we are too quick to assume God’s power and creativity is limited.

Perhaps we can stop assuming we’re unqualified because we’re “too bad” or “not bad enough.”

Perhaps we can stop thinking more of ourselves or less of ourselves than we should, and start thinking of ourselves less.

Perhaps we can simply embrace God’s love, and acknowledge that He can use any of us to manifest the kingdom of heaven here on earth – even you.