Are You a Christ Follower First?

One of the challenges that presents itself to many of our very capable students is… “Am I a Doctor, Engineer, Pilot, or a Christ follower first?” On one of my recent travels, I ran into a couple of young men who seemed to really love the Lord Jesus and are currently involved in Christian efforts that would make use of their engineering degrees while they continued to live in their home area. That is not uncommon. Folks work with great focus to gain the degrees that they come to Radius with, and we love having diligent, focused, folks come here.

What is a bit more difficult, for a few, is to lay down their degree (and oftentimes the view they have of themselves) and embrace, “First of all I’m a Christ follower, and if my prior training is used by Him that’s great, but if not…that’s ok also.”

Of course, we have the example of Peter, Paul, Matthew, and countless others (all men learned a trade at that point in history, even those ‘headed into ministry’) who stepped away from their field of explicit expertise to become full time, focused followers of Jesus. But today earning a living and dovetailing that with some ministry beyond the shores of the USA seems to be in vogue.

I did ache for these young men who seemed to define themselves, their lives, and their future service for their King by what they had studied for four years in school. These young men have decades to live large for King Jesus, but being an ‘Engineer for Jesus’ seemed as far as they could reach.

How often does this happen? Too often! In light of our Savior’s clear command to reach every tongue, tribe, and nation, it seems the most eligible workers are, at times, finding college an impediment to living fully for our King. Is higher learning wrong? Of course not. So much so that Radius requires a bachelor’s degree (with few exceptions) for admittance to our school. The dilemma is this: for young people who typically spend 4 years getting that degree that becomes not only a skill set, but their very identity!

How encouraging it was last year to see a full-fledged airline pilot and another who was a flight instructor step away from those identities (even going against some voices who did not want them to) to embrace being pioneer church planters. This happens every year. This year another MD, a few nurses, teachers, engineers, and other professionally trained men and women are now being prepared as pioneer church planters to take the gospel where it has not been before!

Again, the example of Peter and Paul must give us guidance. As Jesus commanded Peter to leave his nets and “come and follow me” (Luke 5:10b-11), with all the loss to Peter’s economic future, the instability that he pushed upon Zebedee (Matthew 4:22), and what that meant to Peter’s wife and children (we know he had a wife, we can assume he had children) must not be overlooked.

In Philippians 3:5-8, Paul lays out his qualifications for excelling in Judaism, yet, compared to knowing Christ and living for Him, Paul doesn’t see any comparison…he called them all pure rubbish! Nothing measured or confused about Paul’s eyesight. Too often our vision of heaven is murky, blurred, or exceedingly dim, while our awareness of this world below nearly consumes us.

Courageous pioneer workers have always stepped away from economic stability, from Dr. William Carey right down to this current age. Most of these workers have been married and had children.

Too often those giving advice to professionally trained Christians (especially if that brother or sister is making a large income) pander to them instead of challenging them to live large for Jesus. I, too, if a brother or sister has ‘aged out’ of pioneer work, will be slow to challenge them to step away from their life, ministry, and church in their home area. But when young, healthy, sharp folks cap out their service to their Lord while still in their 20s and 30s, this is tragic.

Jim Elliot spoke prophetically while still in college, “He is no fool who gives what he cannot keep to gain what he cannot lose.” Jim died a few years later leaving a wife and young child behind. NOW, in glory, I’m very sure he has no regrets! Paul would say, “Eye has not seen, ear has not heard, no mind has conceived what God has prepared for those who love him.” 1 Corinthians 2:9

I remember singing as a young man in training, “It will be worth it all, when we see Jesus. Life’s trials will seem so small, when we see Christ. One glimpse of his dear face, all sorrows will erase, so bravely run the race, till we see Christ.” I fully believe that will be true!

Paul says to Timothy at the end of his journey, 2 Timothy 4:7, 8, “I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith. Now there is in store for me the crown of righteousness which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will award to me on that day—and not only to me but also to all who have longed for his appearing.” That promise is for everyone who has lived life so fully for His purposes that they ache for His coming… not to the casual, part-time, fitting-Jesus-into-their-life-Christian. Having ‘heaven below’ absolutely impedes our capacity to long for our final abode.

This world’s ability to creep into our decision-making processes is insidious. The god of this world knows how easily we are entranced by our inner desires to see our kids thrive, our medical plans fully funded, and live risk-free lives. The men and women of Hebrews 11 were commended not for their deeds, building an ark (looking like a fool in the process), digging wells for clean water (who objects to that?), permanently leaving Ur of Chaldees, or taking a missions trip, but for their faith! If God had not come through, they would look like fools to those around them for their radical obedience. Are we imitating their faith…or merely doing ‘doable things’, that even if it doesn’t work out we’ve actually risked very little?

To complete the Great Commission, it will take many of God’s ordinary people who will decide to live extraordinary lives. Forsaking all (good careers included), embracing risk, and living lives of raw faith in the God who desires to see His gospel message, His church, planted among all tongues, tribes, and nations. This cannot be done on a part-time basis.