Where Are the Johns?

[John]

I had an interesting conversation with my nephew-in-law on Saturday.
He is an aspiring minister--his father was one. He engaged me on
scriptural issues and naturally we began discussing the issue that I
have been studying for close to six years now. Ecclesiology.

The conversation was not that striking. I gave him some thought
provokers and challenged him to study. I mentioned that much of where
I was now went against my own natural man (depravity). We didn't get
very far into the conversation because the social atmosphere we were
in was prohibitive.

What I find most fascinating was that I became the topic at the dinner
table the following day. My sister relates that my nephew brought up
our conversation, indicating he understood most of what I said, but
didn't quite agree with it. I am accustomed to people disagreeing
with me--never have based my fellowship on it, but the notable issue
here was that after a five minute conversation with little or no
content, on an issue I have studied for six years, a topic he knows
little about, he was declaring that he disagreed with me.

I had not considered how powerful a challenge the simplicity of the
scriptures is to those who have wrapped themselves in centuries of man-
centered tradition and thought. Most importantly, I did not realize
till now, how threatening this is to the nature of man--his sense of
self-identity, his perceived masculinity, and pride.

I am now beginning to understand why Jesus attracted the types he did,
and why the Apostle Paul ended up in the twilight of his life with
only a few friends, having been forsaken by all men.

Do we have men the caliber of John living today, who could truly say,
"He must increase, but I [must] decrease." John 3:30