At the risk of being considered naive, I want to offer an opportunity as an experiment.

I know that most Christians believe what the Lord says.  The rub comes when they try to do it.  Fear takes over, and they just cave.

Here’s a couple of examples:

*Don’t lie.

*Obey the civil authorities.

I chose these two because they appear to be the most difficult.  They are the least likely to be taken seriously.

THE FIRST EXPERIMENT

Given the right circumstances nearly any man will choose to lie.  And let’s tell the truth, every day has an anthill of opportunity.

Here’s my suggestion:

Try not to tell one single lie, all day, for 24 hours.  Now be honest about the experiment.  Don’t hide in the bathroom for a full day.  And don’t fain laryngitis.  You can play dead If you want to.  But you’re not allowed to breathe.

Alright.  With one day down, now the experiment takes some guts.  Now that you know what you’re up against, it’s time to put your skills to the test.

(You might want to tell a few friends you’re going to do this.  You may have to tell the lady why she doesn’t look good in that dress.  Someone will have to drive you to the ER.  And you might want to revamp your resume.  Just sayin.)

Go get a t-shirt made that says something like this, “Warning: Christian Experiment in Progress!” Someone is sure to ask you about it.  Simply tell them the truth.  …duh

THE SECOND EXPERIMENT

The next experiment may be a little more risky.  In this experiment, you will not be able to tell people what the sign means.  You may well end up at their mercy.  Therefore proceed with caution.  But by all means, please do, proceed!

We start this one as we did the first; give it a shot to see if you have a fearless soul.  Do the best you can so that you will know what you are up against.

Day two:  Go have two or three bumper stickers made that say something like this: “Warning Experimental Christian Vehicle! “

Now, for an entire day, go shopping.  Run through a full tank of gas.  I know times are hard.  But what does it cost to take the family to a movie?  And shopping doesn’t mean you have to buy anything.

And let’s keep the spirit of the experiment in mind.  Staying in the mall too long does nothing.  And running over several bags of nails is not fair.

Obey every speed limit.  Use your turn signal profusely.  Stop on yellow lights.  Be courteous and let the other guy go first.  Come to a complete stop at every stop sign (Even the ones in the mall parking lot).

____________

I would urge prayer before you begin either of these experiments.  It would be good to ask the Lord for two things.

Ask him for the strength to do it.  I can assure you he is willing to give it to the earnest heart.

You should also ask Him to show you when you fail.  The heart of man is deceitful above all things made.  You are likely to confuse your own justification for truth.  God can take care of that and is willing.

What I have posted is a little bit of tongue in cheek.  Everyone knows how hard these two things are.

With the lying, we will more recognize the grace given to us than our victories.  Accept your failings.  Remember what the Prophet said?  “Woe is me!  For I am a man of unclean lips, and I come from a people of unclean lips!”  and in the mercy of God, this righteous man’s lips were touched by a coal an angel head retrieved from the altar.

As for obeying civil traffic laws, I personally know the difficulties.  I have been practicing that specific scenario for well over a year.  And still I am intimidated by how many disobey.  And I recently had an altercation with a fellow driver because of this. 

I know the stakes are high.  What do you realize that every law you break teaches someone else to do the same?  And we know that those who teach wickedness are very likely to receive a strong beating.

Now here’s something rather pathetic.  There are 190 people who subscribe to this blog.  And it’s impossible to know how many might read this on the WordPress reader board.  But I don’t expect any to follow through.

I don’t mean that as a slam.  I am more a realist than an optimist.  I encourage all of you to do this then to send me a reply.  Prove my pessimism a lie.

It must be noted here, that neither of these experiments are a suggestion of God.  We are commanded to be holy, even as he is holy.  And he says elsewhere, that’s all who call upon the name of the Lord must turn away from evil.

And I will not fail to mention, that his calling is a calling to death.  For he who desires to save his life will lose it.  And all who lose their own life for the sake of the Lord Jesus and the gospel will save it.

So while these experiments are a bit fun, they have deadly connotation.

And I will dare to say this:  that if enough of my brothers and sisters in Christ will do these experiments (particularly the second one), we will turn America on its ear.

I was about to publish this and fell on one more item.

It seems good to me, and I believe the Lord agrees, that we should offer an opportunity to share these things, understanding the weakness of many.  (I say “we”, because I don’t want to present this without him.)

Do you remember the place in the Gospel, where the Lord challenged the doings of man.  I was hungry or thirsty or in need of clothing and you did nothing to help me.  When the people asked, when were you this way and we did not help, his answer was that as you did to the least of these, my brothers, you did unto me.

So if you are not willing to partake in the experiments themselves, at least be willing to grant my request.  For I am hungry to see this come to fruit.  And I have often professed to be the least in his kingdom.

Send this idea to as many of your brothers and sisters as you dare.  I am one man.  But you are so many.  In this I am poor, while, as a body, you are greatly wealthy.

May God grant success.  May he enliven our souls.  And may we indeed turn America on this ear.  Why not? 

Remember the sixties and seventies?  A few long-haired young people decided it was time to change America.  It has never been the same since.  If you ridicule me for being a pessimist, prove that optimism is better.

Amen