The True

Converts Over Convicts

I love to win. Even as a young boy playing backyard baseball, I loved to win and I hated to lose.

I also love to be correct. There was a running joke in our family, “Of course Thann is correct; He always is!” It was a not-so-subtle acknowledgment that my view about what I knew vastly exceeded what I actually knew.

I would like to tell you things have dramatically changed, and that I now walk through life distinctly aware of all I do not know, and insatiably curious to learn from others. But the truth is, while I am acutely aware of my shortcomings and truly curious to expand my horizons, I still have an intensely strong internal desire to win. To be correct. To be vindicated and to come out on top. As if that were not enough, my love for sports so often means that in order to feel victorious, I feel compelled to identify who it is that has lost in order for me to win. For someone (me) to win, someone (you) has to lose. Or at least that is what my human flesh tells me.

In many ways, I see my own struggle reflected in society. We want to win. We want to be correct. And we think that part of achieving that requires us to identify the losers. Who was wrong when we were correct? Who had the losing argument as we had the winning one? If we are the hero, then who is the villain?

In many ways, we are looking for convicts. When used as a noun, convict means “a person found guilty.” When used as a verb, convict means “to declare someone guilty.” Ouch! I so often declare (verb) someone guilty and label them a convict (noun), and I do it largely to feel vindicated. By now you are probably thinking about the same 800-pound gorilla: I do this even though I know and profess to have been guilty but declared “not guilty” by my Savior who took a punishment I deserved!

Why oh why am I so desperate to label convicts when I myself deserve the label? Why do I look for convicts when I am called to win converts?

It is certainly true that each of us deserves the label “convict.” Romans 3:23 tells us clearly that each of us has come up short of the standard required. But if we see it as our role to present only that half of the equation to others on our way to feeling validated or vindicated, we have done nothing but create convicts.

You and I are intended to win converts!

Perhaps my favorite illustration of this is Paul in Philippians 1 as he wrote from the jail cell in which he was held on account of his faith in Jesus. He had every reason to point the finger of blame at those who had wronged him. In addition to those holding him, he acknowledged that some in the Church were preaching Christ with a motive of stirring up more trouble for him. He could have focused on those wrongs.

Instead, Paul wrote these showstopping words: “But what does it matter? The important thing is that in every way, whether from false motives or true, Christ is preached. And because of this I rejoice” (Philip. 1:8). Wow! Paul was in prison on account of his faith, and his fellow Jesus followers were using the Gospel to cause more trouble for him, yet Paul was still focused on winning converts rather than convicts!

The passage notes two distinct impacts from Paul’s response: 1) The entire palace guard was convinced of Paul’s conviction for Christ (v. 13), and 2) Paul’s friends grew more confident in sharing the Gospel and seeking to win converts (v. 14)

Paul could have sought convicts. He would have been justified. Instead, he sought converts.

You and I can seek convicts. We would be justified. After all, we are all guilty. But we, having once been ourselves convicts, are called to seek converts!

And truth be told, the victory of eternal life in Jesus belongs to converted convicts!

U.S.

On the Cusp

Former President Donald Trump added primary wins in South Carolina and Michigan this week, as he continues his undefeated streak in the 2024 GOP presidential primary. South Carolina was particularly significant, as it is the home state of former President Trump’s lone remaining high-profile opponent, former SC Governor and U.N. Ambassador Nikki Haley. While Haley secured nearly 40% of the vote, Trump bested her by approximately 20% (the tally was approximately 59.8%-39.5%). The wins in South Carolina and Michigan follow similar convincing wins in Iowa, New Hampshire, Nevada, and the Virgin Islands, and carry the former President to the cusp of clinching the nomination. Ambassador Haley vowed to continue her campaign through at least Super Tuesday on March 5 when Republicans in 15 states will participate in either a primary or caucus on the same day.

Meanwhile, President Joe Biden is on a similar path to the Democrat nomination, having secured convincing victories in New Hampshire, South Carolina, Nevada, and Michigan. The President’s most significant opposition comes from Congressman Dean Phillips, who has not been able to make any of the contests competitive. Democrat voters and caucus goers in 16 states will participate in the primary process on Super Tuesday.

For a full primary calendar, click here.

Analysis and eternal perspective: President Biden and former President Trump have all but secured their respective nominations. Barring a development outside the regular primary process (which would not exactly be unusual in American politics), the November general election will be a rematch of 2020.

In what has become the norm in U.S. presidential elections, more than half of voters say they are unsatisfied with the options available to them. The result is a “base election,” where both candidates will be speaking almost exclusively to their own base rather than appealing for crossover votes. These dynamics often create even more division and acrimony than a typical election season.

As Jesus followers, we are called to “seek the prosperity” of our city, even when it is a place of exile (Jer. 29:4-7). The same passage instructs us to “build houses and settle down, plant gardens and eat what they produce, marry and have sons and daughters.”

In other words, play the long game. The long game recognizes you are a citizen of heaven but embraces the mission you have been sent to carry out here on Earth. The long game means embracing the freedom you are blessed with to participate in a democratic process, while also leaning into the challenging work of bridging divides for the betterment of your community.

You may have a preferred candidate in November, or you may disfavor both. But regardless of the outcome, your mission on the other side of the election is an eternal one that includes seeking the prosperity of those around you. By starting from that perspective and working backwards, you can be best prepared to walk blamelessly (Ps. 84:11, Pr. 28:18) during what will certainly be an acrimonious election season. Play the long game.

World

A Somber Anniversary

The war between Russia and Ukraine has entered its third year. Russian forces initially invaded Ukraine on Feb 24, 2022, and the two years that followed were extremely bloody, with tens of thousands of dead, millions displaced and in harm’s way, and untold numbers of children orphaned or fatherless. Several world leaders gathered in Kyiv to mark the anniversary and stand in solidarity with Ukraine President Volodymyr Zelensky. The gathering came on the heels of a surprise visit from U.S. Senate Majority leader Chuck Schumer, who used the occasion to call on the U.S. to send additional support to Ukraine.

Analysis and eternal perspective: The bloodshed occurring in Ukraine is nothing short of evil. Proverbs 28:15-19 gives us a vivid perspective of how to navigate a world with such vileness. It promises that “tyrannical leaders” guilty of murder “will seek refuge in the grave,” but “the one whose walk is blameless is kept safe.”

It is a stark juxtaposition. How is it that one follower of Jesus is subjected to a murderous dictator while others are kept safe? It is a question we may not have a satisfactory answer to on this side of heaven. Meanwhile, there remain complicated questions like how to best defend those who are oppressed (Is. 1:17)? Regardless how the debate over U.S. funding for Ukraine plays out, Jesus followers have a duty to stand in the gap through prayer for our brothers and sisters in Ukraine and Russia. May the eternal peace of God transcend the brutal violence on display and may many be drawn into relationship with Jesus during this time of intense oppression.

Space

Another Giant Leap

For the first time in more than half a century, a U.S. spacecraft has landed on the moon. The vessel is named the Odysseus, and it is an unmanned craft built by Intuitive Machines and funded by a mix of public (NASA) and private investors. The landing was not without complication, as the Odysseus tipped over onto its side during touchdown. Even so, the vessel’s cameras captured multiple close-up images of the moon’s surface.

Analysis and eternal perspective: “The heavens declare the glory of God; the skies proclaim the work of his hands” (Ps. 19:1). The images of the moon from Odysseus exclaim the glory of our Creator! It is in many ways beyond our comprehension to fully consider the reality of something as distant as the moon. And yet, the moon is remarkably near when compared against the indescribable and unknowable expanse of God’s universe!

Take just three minutes and watch this breathtaking illustration of the expansive, intricate, and complex nature of God’s creative world.

If you are like me, that illustration is impossible to watch without simply marveling about the wonderful gift of a God that big choosing to love someone as small as you and me. It is truly astounding.

As humankind continues to “spread its wings” and expand our knowledge about this tiny corner of the created universe, Jesus followers can look forward to an eternity of wonder and amazement at all that God has created.

“When I consider your heavens, the work of your fingers, the moon and the stars, which you have set in place, what is mankind that you are mindful of them, human beings that you care for them? You have made them a little lower than the angels and crowned them with glory and honor” (Ps. 8:3-5).

The Beautiful

Oil That Never Runs Dry

God’s provision is abundant and beautiful! Even the colors of what is harvested change with the seasons. As you follow Jesus into the world this week and set your hands to the tasks He has given you for this season, pause briefly to read and consider the Parable of the Lamps and the miracle of the flour and oil that did not run dry. His beautiful invitation to you is to take an active role in preparing for His arrival, and yet lean wholly on His power and provision. May your lamps be ready, and may He cause the oil to never run dry!