Death wish?

Death wish?

Do you have a death wish? That part of town is rough.  Did you see another person was shot in that apartment complex?  It’s too dangerous.  It’s not worth it.  I could never do that.

Those are some of the comments and questions we get from non-Christians and Christians when they hear where we go to share the gospel.  Fifteen years ago, this type of place was out of my comfort zone.  Today, I have peace in the midst of danger because my fear is in God, not man.  Jesus himself said, “do not fear those who kill the body but cannot kill the soul.  But rather fear Him who is able to destroy both soul and body in hell.” (Matt. 10:28)

We see that Jesus did ministry among the people.  He modeled going to the places where sinners are located.  He went to where the broken were known to be. (The demoniac, woman at the well, etc.)

Definitely easier said than done. …. think about it.  Where in your town or city do you consider to be the bad side, crime filled, or just scary?  The police in our city label them HIZ (High Intensity Zones).  These are places that are known for violence, drugs, prostitution and crime of every flavor. 

Jesus said that people live in darkness (Lk 1:79). In fact, Paul says we were darkness (Eph. 5:8). We are slaves to sin (Jn 8:34). Because of that, we cannot expect non-believers to act holy or Christianly.  It is not in their nature.  Their “big” issue is not drugs, violence or poverty. Their issue is, they do not have Jesus! We must see through the darkness and to their heart.  Be willing to be offended and not show it, for their sake.

 Did Jesus have a death wish? Absolutely not; however, He was intentionally looking for lost and broken people (Lk 19:10) no matter where they lived. For what? Life! Jesus had (and still has) a life-wish! Jesus sought out those in darkness to bring light and life.  He always found ‘some’ or a ‘few’ that received him and the message.  The majority rejected the light because they loved the darkness.  They were not the right soil. (Mt. 13) They love their sin.  They are naturally evil, wicked, and self-focused.  

If only ONE receives the good news, it would be worth it. I was worth the time, you were worth the time, and THEY (those in the rough neighborhoods) are worth our time.  It is worth our risk.  It is worth our investment.  We were created and brought into relationship with Jesus for this very purpose. It is an honor and privilege to serve the living God. Do you have a life-wish?

“Some want to live within the sound
Of church or chapel bell;
I want to run a rescue shop,
Within a yard of hell.”
― C.T. Studd