Jesus and The Electric Slide

"To the weak I became weak, to win the weak. I have become all things to all people so that by all possible means I might save some. I do all this for the sake of the gospel, that I may share in its blessings."  Apostle Paul, 1 Corinthians 9:22-23


If Jesus were still alive today, do you think he would do the Electric Slide if it meant saving another soul?  From what I've read about Jesus, I think he would and here's why. First of all, Jesus was very relational. He cared more about people than he did tradition. In fact, he often broke with the traditions of the religious leaders of his day to reach out those persons he wanted to heal and set free. Sinners were not welcome in the religious institutions of that day. They were often found outside the temple gate begging for alms. 

But Jesus changed all that by taking the Gospel to them. Jesus earned "street cred" by eating with sinners and associating with men and women whose reputations were considered unwholesome. In fact, Jesus made his reputation by doing some of his best known miracles among social outcasts, namely lepers, cripples, thieves and demon-possessed. I believe if the Electric Slide had been around in Jesus' day, he would have found a way to re-purpose it and use it to attract people to the Gospel. 1 Samuel 16:7 says that " the LORD does not see as man sees; for man looks at the outward appearance, but the LORD looks at the heart.” 

Those who criticize others for dancing in church are looking on the outward appearance. They lack the spiritual discernment to see beyond the physical realm. Dancing in church is not an evil as long as the purpose is to glorify God. 2 Samuel 6:14 says King David, a man after God's heart, "danced before the Lord with all his might." And as David danced, God was looking at his heart, and was so pleased by David's worship that he made mention of it in the Bible. If the Bible were still being written today, I wonder how many Sunday church services would be worthy of mention? 

Jesus set the example for the Church. To be relevant today, the Church must relate to where people are --- spiritually as well as physically. Jesus did not sit in the temple and wait for sinners to come to him; he went after them, often undertaking exhaustive, cross country trips in the process. Some religious folk have a hard time with this concept because they think there's something sacred about stained glass windows and polished pews. Far from it. All that it means is that the world can't see in and the Church can't see out. Far too many "Church folk" are reluctant to leave their pew to "Go out into the highways and hedges, and compel them [sinners] to come in, that my [God's] house may be filled" Luke 14:22-24.

What would happen if the Church broke with tradition every now and again, and fired up a bar-be-cue pit on the back lot, blasted some uptempo praise tunes from the church speakers and just had a good ole time in the Lord? I say, turn up the volume and let's dance. Who knows, it just might shake up the neighborhood and attract some lost soul passing by to Christ.