COURAGEOUS LEADERSHIP: THE CURE FOR CHRISTIAN CONFLICT

Over the next few weeks Cross Calling will focus on that which is my calling and passion as a man of God: the racial unity of the Body of Christ. For the past 31 years I have taught, preached, written and tried to be an example of this reality in my life. Now, for the rest of my life, I will seek to lay out all that the Lord has and is giving me to contribute to this vital area of the gospel and the life of the church.

When reflecting back on 2020 and the recent terrorism that took place on January 6th, 2021 what is abundantly clear to me, and I am certain to others, is the need for courage, conviction and leadership from the Body of Christ. We are not just a people transformed by grace, but we are a people - diverse by divine design - are to reflect to the world what true unity looks like.

We are to show to society that lesser things (politics) should not destroy the main thing (unity). We are to show that one can be civically engaged and, at the same time, live under the primacy and superiority of a gospel centered worldview. This is not easy, but it is beyond essential if the Lord is to be reflected through His embassy of ambassadors, the church. It will take courage to lead and to love like Christ in our current climate because it will call for us to die many deaths so that the life of Christ may be seen and revealed through us.

There is a passage in Acts that speaks to the courage that has always been needed, but never more so for us than in our current context. As Paul was led to go to Jerusalem in Acts 21 a prophet named Agabus came and illustrated a prophecy that indicated Paul would suffer significant trouble if he went to Jerusalem. This could mean his death. In the face of that word and the emotions it stirred among those who loved Paul and had been blessed by his ministry, Paul said these words:

13 Then Paul answered, “What are you doing, weeping and breaking my heart? For I am ready

not only to be imprisoned but even to die in Jerusalem for the name of the Lord Jesus”

(Acts 21:13).

Their hearts were broken because they feared Paul's death. Paul's heart was broken because they focused on his death and not the name and glory of Jesus. What a contrast! They tried to persuade Paul away from death, but Paul understood that fear of death would make him ineffective for the Lord. The same is true for us.

Paul was ready and willing to die for the name of the Lord Jesus because Christ's glory - not Paul's comfort, was his longing, focus and hunger. Think about how many would have not heard the gospel had Paul feared death? Think about how few letters would had been written by Paul had he feared death. Think about the triumph of evil in snuffing out the ministry of Paul had Paul feared death.

Now ponder this reality: the letters that speak so intimately to our unity - Ephesians and Colossians - were what are known as "prison epistles." They were letters written in jail! If Paul feared death and jail what we know about the theological and practical commands of our unity would have never been written. The courage that is needed in our day is the courage to die many deaths. Death to the supremacy of self, politics, culture, safety, comfort, ease, affirmation, etc. Anything that causes us to fail and to fear to be boldly Christian is that which we must die to - daily!

What is most striking is the fact that our unity is a reality because of death: the death of Jesus. Therefore, as we contemplate all of the ramifications that will come when we choose Christ Above Culture and when we live our lives as examples of what it looks like to love Christ Above Culture we will come face to face with intense conflict: relational, political, spiritual and economic consequences. When we do, may we choose to die, in that Jerusalem, to those things because our heart and passion and delight is this:

"...I am ready not only to be imprisoned but even to die in Jerusalem for the name of the Lord

Jesus” (Acts 21:13).