For some reason in the Christian world there’s this tendency or urge for many to be little teachers. It’s beyond the individual calling that some have to preach or teach. Regular, everyday (is there such a thing?) Christians (like me) will start teaching in the middle of a conversation, complete with upraised finger, repeating things they’ve heard as if you’ve asked. The most common tip-off that this is happening is the phrase, “We as Christians should…” Since I know that phrase is the tip-off, I avoid it to keep astute hearers from knowing I’ve just gone into teaching mode.
We like to impart knowledge and wisdom. We like to be needed. Maybe we also don’t mind letting people know how much we know and how wise we are. For the less mature of us, it becomes more about me than you – I’m looking for an excuse to teach and you’re it.
For the more mature ones – well, it will take you awhile to recognize them; they tend to hold back and pick their moments. They use teaching in conversations sparingly, like seasoning. Like a NASCAR driver who knows how to go 200mph in a race, but on the interstate he holds back and you don’t notice so easily what a great driver he is.
Much of Christianity is podiums and lectures and seminars and classes and conferences. There’s analyzing and pondering and scrutinizing and controversy. The Christians we really respect do that. So if you were a serious Christian, wouldn’t you teach every chance you got? Isn’t that what Christians do?
I’m thinking of all that after seeing this quote from John Piper, about the impression he had of God speaking to him when he was called to preach 30 years ago this week;
I will not simply be analyzed; I will be adored.
I will not simply be pondered; I will be proclaimed.
My sovereignty is not simply to be scrutinized; it is to be heralded.
It is not grist for the mill of controversy; it is gospel for sinners who know that their only hope is the sovereign triumph of God’s grace over their rebellious will.
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