Teaching Pigs to Sing
By George Stroh
September 26, 2011
"But a natural man does not accept the things of the Spirit of God, for they are foolishness to him; and he cannot understand them, because they are spiritually appraised." (1 Corinthians 2:14)
The late Robert Heinlein once said "Never try to teach a pig to sing. It wastes your time and annoys the pig." I think this is good advice for Christians who keep trying to get unbelievers to think, speak and act like believers. Such futile efforts are not only a waste of time and energy, but distract us from the "Great Commission"; "Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit...," (Matthew 28:19)
Too many Christians and churches squander precious time and resources trying to teach pigs (natural man) to sing (accept the things of the Spirit of God). While it is true that the world would be a much better place if everyone would only conform their lives to God's word, the truth is that the unbeliever will not and cannot do so. The reality is that the things of God are foolishness to them and they can't understand them, let alone accept them.
As Christians we are, of course, against divorce, homosexuality, immorality, abortion, harming the environment, abuse of political power, homelessness, hunger, violence and everything else that is contrary to God's word and His perfect will. As God's people, we stand for and promote morality, justice, peace, charity and everything that is consistent with His word and His will. That is what it means to be "salt" and "light" in the world; "You are the salt of the earth... You are the light of the world..." (Matthew 5:13a, 14a)
But we must not be distracted from our primary mission of making disciples (Christians). Those who do come to faith after hearing the gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ, receive the Holy Spirit of God and can now understand the things of God; "For who has known the mind of the Lord, that he will instruct Him? But we have the mind of Christ." (1 Corinthians 2:16). Now they are motivated and equipped to think, speak and act as followers of Christ. These new believers (disciples) can now learn how to sing; "...teaching them to observe all that I commanded you;" (Matthew 28:20a)
Don't get distracted from your primary mission. Keep telling everyone who will listen the good news about Jesus Christ and stop wasting time trying to teach pigs to sing. Maranatha!
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