I was not raised in a Southern Baptist church, it wasn’t until age twenty-two that I began to attend a Southern Baptist church. Immediately I was confronted with my sinfulness through the powerful preaching of God’s word. Three months later I surrendered my life to Christ. I was changed forever!
There is much gratitude in my heart for Southern Baptists, a people faithful to preach the Bible as it is, the inspired, pure word of God. Serving Jesus by serving in a Southern Baptist church is an honor. I’m humbled to be part of the Great Commission Resurgence Task Force as well, even though I often feel like a mongrel at a Westminster dog show!
Certainly God has incredible breath-taking plans for us as Southern Baptists. Although, there is always the need to improve methods. We do this because we desire to be used to our maximum potential for Christ. We must never be more surrendered to our preferences, practices, procedures and possessions than we are our magnificent Savior! The last thing we need if we are going to reach the world is to be more committed to building and protecting our own kingdoms, than we are building God’s kingdom.
I’m convinced our Lord is stirring His people to use us in reaching vast numbers of people. The key to our ability to be used by God in extraordinary ways, is humble surrender. I believe our greatest need is revival of the heart among individuals in Southern Baptist churches. We can tweak and tune our procedures and practices, which we always must do; but if we don’t experience a whole-hearted surrender among us we will not be effective. If we adjust methods without real heart change it will be like putting new tires on a car with major engine trouble.
I read a couple of weeks ago a passage in my morning devotion that I can’t shake. One particular verse sticks in my mind and heart. I believe this is a major key to experiencing the resurgence we seek as Southern Baptists. It’s essential to the effectiveness we hunger to have to impact the world.
I Peter 5:6 -“Humble yourselves therefore under the mighty hand of God, so that He may exalt you in due time.” (HCSB)
How am I, how are we to humble ourselves? God placed three areas of application on my heart. We must submit to His word to humble ourselves. His word must be the primary standard and guide for life. We cannot rationalize our disobedience any longer. We can try to convince ourselves that we are doing the Great Commission but our baptisms say otherwise. Humility, manifest by genuine obedience to the Great Commission and all the word of God, is essential.
Second we must be willing to place ourselves in submission to His particular will. The practices and even changes He reveals to us, we must do. No matter how difficult, we must be willing to humble ourselves and follow God’s leading. We will never see the blessing of exaltation without this level of humility.
Finally, we must be willing to submit to His way. This refers to the circumstances He allows us to enter to accomplish His work in us. It is trusting His sovereignty above our own experience or circumstance.
I am extremely excited about the days ahead for us as Southern Baptists and all believers. My take is He is up to something big! I want to be part of what He is doing. I’m willing to do whatever it takes.
I love you Southern Baptists.
