Post Modern Mindset (#4)
We’ve looked at giving an answer for the hope that lies within, the exclusivity of Jesus and the urgency and motivation for sharing this message. We’ve hopefully established how these precepts fly right in the face of the Post Modern mindset. The next issue you will deal with is probably the worst judgment and that is to tell somebody they’re wrong. Who are you to tell me I’m wrong! As we’ve discussed earlier, someone is wrong. Both sides of this equation can’t be right. Either Jesus is Who He claims to be or He isn’t. He can’t be Lord (God) and a liar. He cannot merely be a good man, or a prophet because that disagrees with His claim of Who He was and is. Where a half-truth really should be called a lie, He is either right or wrong, He can’t be both. It’s not humble to ride the fence with no fixed opinion…its damning. Your position on this topic is brought to a head in the Sermon on the Mount when Jesus explains what the worst judgment will be. Now notice He is talking to those who profess Him to be “Lord, Lord” and He is declaring that they don’t know Him because even though they say “Lord, Lord” they are not doing the will of the Father who is in Heaven. They are merely giving lip service to His Lordship. There is No change, no new creation (2Cor 5), no being born again (John 3). Jesus then explains what the worse judgment is than saying your wrong is:
“And then I will declare to them, I never knew you; depart from me, you workers of lawlessness.” (Matt 7:23)
Nobody wants to be told their wrong. But Jesus said in Matthew 7 the worst judgment is when He tells the people convinced that He is Lord (at least verbally), they’re wrong…they don’t know Him. The problem is the mindset that is prevalent not only in our Post Modern world but increasingly so in America. To quote the Lucille Ball show somehow we think “God has some esplaining to do”. He’s already exhaustively explained Himself and given us the Remedy. God has revealed Himself in His creation, His Word and in His Son. Jesus explained what the real confusion was in John 9 when he was reclining with the tax collectors and sinners gathered around. The Pharisees questioned why He ate with tax collectors and sinners? His response was “Those who are well have no need of a physician, but those who are sick.” (Matt 9:12) The problem is everyone is sick it’s just some aren’t so convinced. It’s not that they don’t need a doctor they just don’t think they need a doctor…they’re not sick…they’re not sinners…they’re not the problem. The bible declares everyone is a sinner (Rom 3:23) and only forgiveness is found in Jesus Christ upon repentance (Mark 1:15).