The Best Sales Job
Found a flier left on the doorstep today: “Eternal Life is a FREE Gift.” While I commend those who were going door-to-door, spreading the Gospel message, part of me can’t glance at that little pamphlet without beholding the sorely skewed nature of the proposition. Have we, as Christians, become peddlers of our faith?
I mean, a salesperson’s job is always to present the most attractive side, and downplay anything that might hinder the conclusion of the sale. Sometimes it takes a long time after the purchase before the customer even realizes some of the hidden costs (ex. the degree of maintenance issues with a car, the amount of interest that accrues on a college loan, the long hours required above and beyond what the contract said). But the whole point is that the deal is already done.
It strikes me (and forgive the meager comparison) as trying to sell marriage based on one aspect… say, sex. Sure, one of the more appealing sides… but let’s say marriage were instead presented upfront as a merging of two lives; a morphing of one’s identity; a total restructuring of all priorities and investments; a forfeiture of ownership claims and autonomous decision-making; a daily dying to “self” as one gives preference to another equally as fallible and weak individual; in short, as the greatest sharpening tool ever to make one humble, and emptied, and holy. The whole “sex” part of it may not, depending on the individual considering it, really overcome all of the vulnerability, sacrifice, and unconditional commitment included… and the “sale” would be lost.
We don’t present Christianity point-blank like that. We attract people with God’s grace, or scare them with His judgment – but we mention both of those strictly in the context of a one-time decision. We don’t mention the altogether life-altering pattern that will mean for the rest of one’s earthly days. Why is our focus so limited?
What if we tried this instead? “Eternal life is a free gift… AND… included in its acceptance, you will now be aware of the internal war of trying to please God while your flesh is still raging to enthrone itself (Ro. 7:15). You will be required to part ways with your pride (Ph. 2:3), to set aside all plans of directing life on your terms (1 Cor. 6:19-20), and to show the most ungrateful and evil people you know the most sacrificial love you can give (Lk. 6:35). You hereby forfeit any right to live with comfort or ease (2 Tim. 2:3), to demand repayment for what is taken from you (Lk. 6:30), and to go on the offensive when you are treated unfairly (1 Pe. 2:20). For desiring to live a godly life, you will be guaranteed persecution (2 Tim. 3:12). And, because of the One you have now put your faith in, you, too, will be ‘hated by all!’” (Lk. 21:17).
But then, I don’t know… I’ve never been much of a salesperson.
I mean, a salesperson’s job is always to present the most attractive side, and downplay anything that might hinder the conclusion of the sale. Sometimes it takes a long time after the purchase before the customer even realizes some of the hidden costs (ex. the degree of maintenance issues with a car, the amount of interest that accrues on a college loan, the long hours required above and beyond what the contract said). But the whole point is that the deal is already done.
It strikes me (and forgive the meager comparison) as trying to sell marriage based on one aspect… say, sex. Sure, one of the more appealing sides… but let’s say marriage were instead presented upfront as a merging of two lives; a morphing of one’s identity; a total restructuring of all priorities and investments; a forfeiture of ownership claims and autonomous decision-making; a daily dying to “self” as one gives preference to another equally as fallible and weak individual; in short, as the greatest sharpening tool ever to make one humble, and emptied, and holy. The whole “sex” part of it may not, depending on the individual considering it, really overcome all of the vulnerability, sacrifice, and unconditional commitment included… and the “sale” would be lost.
We don’t present Christianity point-blank like that. We attract people with God’s grace, or scare them with His judgment – but we mention both of those strictly in the context of a one-time decision. We don’t mention the altogether life-altering pattern that will mean for the rest of one’s earthly days. Why is our focus so limited?
What if we tried this instead? “Eternal life is a free gift… AND… included in its acceptance, you will now be aware of the internal war of trying to please God while your flesh is still raging to enthrone itself (Ro. 7:15). You will be required to part ways with your pride (Ph. 2:3), to set aside all plans of directing life on your terms (1 Cor. 6:19-20), and to show the most ungrateful and evil people you know the most sacrificial love you can give (Lk. 6:35). You hereby forfeit any right to live with comfort or ease (2 Tim. 2:3), to demand repayment for what is taken from you (Lk. 6:30), and to go on the offensive when you are treated unfairly (1 Pe. 2:20). For desiring to live a godly life, you will be guaranteed persecution (2 Tim. 3:12). And, because of the One you have now put your faith in, you, too, will be ‘hated by all!’” (Lk. 21:17).
But then, I don’t know… I’ve never been much of a salesperson.
posted by Purple at 4:59 PM
1 Comments:
I loved this post. I am a saleswoman.
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