Everybody Talk and Nobody Listen

(the title is taken from the lyrics of a Lifehouse song)

21^st century Western culture elevates progress, "advancements" of every kind, and individualism.  That being the case, when a person sees his or her self as part of a humanity that is by definition better than it has ever been, their opinions will be the best ones, with any opposing position being a stupid one worthy of condemnation.  In other words, the age of reason, for all of its good, has made us more proud than we’ve ever been.  Being proud, we love to arrive at conclusions quickly (based on immediately what seems right), put them out there to the world arrogantly, and then respond hatefully when challenged.  We also love to sit behind computer screens and wait for others to put their opinions out there so we can either passionately agree or passionately disagree (and both in haste).

Why does no one ever question his or her self?  I do.  I never trust myself.  I’m questioning myself right now as I’m typing.  You might say I’m over-thinking and being too critical of self.  But maybe you’re under-thinking and not being critical enough of yourself.  I'll unapologetically say that I think I know the Truth about where humanity has come from, where it is going, how humanity will get there, what is wrong us, and what needs to change.  But I only think I know it because it was given me by a God of grace and truth.  I’ve only received truth – I never figured it out (1 Cor. 4:7, 1 Jn. 5:20).  In receiving said truth, there are many facets to it about which I could be wrong.  Thus incredible busy-ness is a convenient (and true) excuse for not blogging more often, when in reality it is nice to not have to worry about throwing my point of view into the Lion’s Den (another word for social media).

Some say all we need is more love and acceptance.  But where does it stop?  Does it stop with murderers and terrorism?  Should we accept and embrace that?  Others say we need more hard truth and repentance.  But does that mean we shouldn’t graciously listen to others who struggle to find truth?  And why do people use any and every high-tension news story, when it’s convenient, as a lightning rod for their political or social agenda?

The problem isn’t Republicans.  Nor is it Democrats.  It isn’t conservatives or progressives.  It isn’t white people and it isn’t black people.  Nor is it religious people or secular people.  The problem is pride, and since there are none immune to it, the problem is everyone.  Pride hardens people and makes them ruthless. Pride blinds people to their need for grace and thus makes them unable to give it to others.  Pride turns people into scoffers who can’t listen to an opposing argument because the person with said argument “must have an agenda.”  Pride makes hypocrites: People who say they’re all about love end up being more hateful than their opponents, and those who say they’re all about moral rightness somehow miss the glaring inconsistencies in their own lives.  Pride elevates the mind of man to the point where he can’t see that his Creator’s rules of logic are the only reason he can think at all.  “Be not wise in your own eyes” (Prov. 3:6).  And then those who know their Creator act like their knowledge of Him was their own doing.  "No one can receive a thing unless it is given him by heaven" (Jn. 3:27).

Enter the Gospel of Jesus Christ.  Jesus says that the problem isn’t with a certain kind of people – the problem is with humanity in general.  Humanity is fallen and in need of grace.  Read the New Testament Gospels -- the ones whom Jesus chastises regularly are the ones who refuse to see that all people – not just the outcasts of a then God-conscious society – are sinners in need of grace.  Man is passionate, but his passion needs renewed.  Man is morally responsible but his morality needs renewed.  Man is in God’s image, but man has warped God’s image, and needs to be made new again through God's recreating him back into His own image (John 3:3-5, Eph. 4:24).  The Gospel deals both within and without the individual – in it Jesus says, “I have to make you new, sinner, from the inside out, and I will,” while at the same time He says, “I’ve come to end the hate-race called humanity by giving myself in love for my enemies.”  If you then come to where Jesus died for sin and there die to sin you'll be welcomed in and invited into an eternity of God's love and kindness.  This Gospel is in one sense for everyone, but in another sense it is only for those who are broken (Matt. 5:3), weary (Matt. 11:28), hungry for God’s truth (Matt. 5:6), and longing for grace (Lk. 18:13).  By definition those who know Jesus in truth can’t help but maintain an attitude of humility, even if they have a natural disposition of pride like the rest of mankind.  “Whoever hopes in him purifies himself as He (Jesus) is pure” (1Jn. 3:3).  Over time, by Jesus' grace and power, they'll change to look more like Him.

We wonder why people are offended so easily.  It is because man is so turned in on himself today that his own worldview and opinions are not to be challenged or questioned.  "I'm enlightened, I've suffered, I've been through things others haven't, so therefore I'm more mature and can't be wrong."  And so he is a ticking time bomb, ready to blow when an opposing view is brought into the light.  Man is so offended because he sits on a seat of pride and sleeps on a bed of pride.  I would say Christians are the worst (because Christians should expect non-Christians to demean Christian things, so why don't we?); but the secular person is just as bad.  Socially, pride is winning.  I keep praying that Jesus continues bringing down the pride of man.  Perhaps a culture which is punching itself out in pride is His means of eventually bringing it down.  

The Pope is not so beloved because everyone considers him to be sitting on Peter's seat.  The majority of the world is not Roman Catholic, and the majority of Christians aren’t.  But the Pope is so beloved because he is an authority figure with a humble disposition.  He doesn’t seem to want to make enemies, but friends, for the sake of redeeming relationships.  “With the humble is wisdom” (Prov. 11:2).  People look to him in appreciation because he appears to have a humble wisdom. (And I don’t believe the Pope is Peter’s successor, nor do I affirm the papacy.  But my point is that people listen to those with authoritative humility, himself being a good example).

Perhaps the key to being listened to is to start listening and stop pointing.  We'd do well to stop immediately grouping everyone else into social sub-cultures without considering they are a person, too.  And as individuals we should stop assuming that all of the problems are everyone else’s fault.  Own your part in it – before you unknowingly contribute to it more.