Coffee With The Lord

“DIVINE DEMOGRAPHICS”… What is that?

Marketing people and politicians (as well as others) are very concerned about the demographics of an area… What kind of people live there?  Their ethnicity, their culture, their values, their average income, their educational level, their language, and their influencers (leadership), are all important to them.

So what characteristically/typically has been the “demographics” of “the church?”  What has been its makeup down through the centuries and up to the present time?  What would be the accurate, authentic demographic that God would recognize for “His people” down through the centuries?  Sure there are exceptions – and exceptional people – but what is (and has been) the “divine demographic” of “the People of God?”  Have they on the whole been highly educated?  Would they be considered “the elites” of society?  Have they as a general rule been wealthy and prosperous?  Have they been typically white, or black, or brown? 

This may surprise you… but according to Scripture NONE of these things matter!  In fact, in my Bible reading this morning during my time of “coffee with the Lord” I read an “inspired” assessment of the demographic of the “church” in Corinth that I believe is typical of authentic “Christ followers” universally.  Here’s what Paul reminded them of…

“For consider your calling: not many of you were wise according to worldly standards, not many were powerful, not many were of noble birth.  But God chose what is foolish in the world to shame the wise; God chose what is weak in the world to shame the strong;  God chose what is low and despised in the world, even things that are not, to bring to nothing things that are, SO THAT NO HUMAN BEING MIGHT BOAST IN THE PRESENCE OF GOD.  And because of Him [God] you are in Christ Jesus, who became to us wisdom from God, righteousness and sanctification and redemption,  so that, AS IT IS WRITTEN, “LET THE ONE WHO BOASTS, BOAST IN THE LORD.”  (From 1 Corinthians 1:26–31 ESV)

I’ve traveled globally in Church ministry and I can tell you that’s an accurate assessment!  There are exceptions (the Biblical text does say “not many are…”) but on the whole, the church is made up of common, ordinary people!  That’s good news… it includes me (and probably YOU!).  Let me tell you, the color of your skin does not matter to God (after all the “golden text” of the Bible reads: God so loved THE WORLD that He gave His only Son, so that WHOSOEVER believes in Him might have everlasting life!” – John 3:16)… It may “tick some people off” a bit, but let me break it to you gently… “ALL LIVES MATTER TO GOD!”  How much money you have or property you own does not matter (in fact, the rich who follow Jesus are expected to exhibit generous stewardship of the resources God has given them)!  Beautiful, handsome, or ordinary or having a deformity, doesn’t matter!  Where you live (or have lived) doesn’t matter!  Your “nationality” or cultural background does not matter to Him!  Single or married is not an issue!  And He ignores the letters before or after your name (if they’re there it only means additional accountability)!

“Divine Demographics!”  Listen, I’m just honored to be a “Christian” – LET THE ONE WHO BOASTS, BOAST IN THE LORD!”

I’ve watched it over the years… God deals with a person about something in their life, and rather than soften, mellow, and repent, they stiffen, resist, rebel and harden.  God deals with them some more… and they harden… and harden… and harden!  Until it seems there is no remedy – no recourse – other than a collision course with the Living God!  Tragically there are those who will never yield to God, experience His mercy and grace, and salvation… They self-destruct and face only God’s wrath, having rejected His love.

I’m reading Exodus 5-12 right now during my time of “coffee with the Lord” daily… It is the sad, sad, story of such a person – Pharoah, king of Egypt.  There were 10 occasions where God gave him an opportunity to yield to His will and become an agent of blessing and release for the children of Israel… but instead he resisted, and became harder… harder… and harder… until there was no remedy!  Each plague could have become a redemptive opportunity – instead it became a resolute, resistant step closer to judgment and wrath.

If you have someone you know who is on a sad trajectory of this sort, may I appeal to you to pray fervently for them, act redemptively as the Lord leads you, and exhibit “Christ-like character” even under provocation and persecution.  God will lead you – God will provide opportunities!  It may be that they will yield and repent and God will save them and transform their life!

Listen!  Five minutes before Apostle Paul encountered the Lord, repented, and was transformed by the grace of God, no one would have guessed he would have!  Here’s how the Bible describes him: “As for Saul (i.e.. Paul) he made havoc of the church, entering every house and dragging off men and women committing them to prison… And Saul, still breathing threats and murder against the disciples of the Lord, went to the high priest and asked letters from him to the synagogues of Damascus, so that if he found any who were of the ‘Way’ (i.e. Christians) he might bring them bound to Jerusalem.” (From Acts 8:3 and 9:1-2) … And then He met the risen Christ and in a moment of time was changed!

I know some “hard hearts” … I’m going to pray!  I’m going to believe!  I’m going to trust God to work in their lives, deal with them in mercy, and provide opportunities for them to repent, believe and be transformed by God’s grace and power!  Do you have any people like that you’re aware of?  God can do it if they’ll stop resisting, respond to His grace, and turn to the Lord!

Whenever I read Matthew 13.1-9 (the parable of the farmer scattering seed and the various soil types) and its explanation (vss. 18-23) I usually pay attention to various types of soil Jesus identified and the difference in fruitfulness.  Today, however, during “coffee with the Lord” I was impressed by the enemies of spiritual growth and fruitfulness Jesus identified… I want to be especially alert to them in my life!!

1) The “evil one” himself, who if he has his way will find a way to snatch away the good seed planted in my heart. (vs. 19)

2) My own lack of “deep roots” so that problems I face or persecution that comes my way will keep me from bearing fruit. (vs.21)

3) The “thorns” – i.e. the worries of life and the lure of wealth and materialism – that choke out spiritual growth and fruitfulness.

I want to be alert to these enemies of spiritual growth and fruitfulness in my life!  I want to hear the message of the Kingdom, understand it, believe it and embrace it and produce a bountiful harvest for my Lord!! (After all, it’s His field, isn’t it!!)