I recently attended the Advance the Church conference in Raleigh-Durham, NC. Multiple speakers spoke for multiple hours over a course of two days. Many things were said regarding the problems faced by churches in the South. Often referred to as the "Bible Belt," the region has produced multiple generations of individuals who claim the social label of "Christian." Many churches have abandoned gospel centrality in order to grow in numbers and adapt to a region commonly known for its morality. Many "Christians" in the South live lives with emphases placed on moral standards, but without a true relationship with Jesus Christ. This problem has not arisen simply out of Southern culture, but a neglect on the part of local churches to confront morality in the name of Jesus Christ.
The Gospel, contrary to the beliefs of many, is not centered on human efforts. It is impossible for the individual to attain salvation by his own efforts. This is made clear in Paul's writings regarding salvation "by grace, through faith." God does not lay out a step-by-step program for climbing the proverbial mountain to heaven. Many world religions lay out seemingly excellent programs for climbing the mountain and finding God. Islam gives the Five Pillars. Schools of Hinduism provide models for escaping suffering and reaching a perfect state. The difference with Christianity is the message of the Gospel. God does not lay out points of progression on a journey to the mountaintop. Instead, God comes down the mountain to the people. After all, it is impossible to actually reach the top of the mountain by human efforts alone. God, through His son Jesus Christ, climbs down the mountain, picks up the climber, and brings him into the presence of God.
Aside from Christianity, the religions of the world teach that man may gain favor with God and reach the top of the mountain. Nonetheless, Christianity teaches that not only does man lack the physical strength and capabilities to ascend, man does not even want to climb the mountain. This sounds very strange- Of course man would want to climb the mountain and gain salvation. However, a quick examination of human motivations will reveal that man avoids the mountain and does not seek God on his own accord.
There is no question that man is climbing proverbial mountains. The question is whether such mountains lead to salvation. The business man is climbing up the corporate ladder in an attempt to gain favor and prestige. The professor is clinging to the ropes of academia in order to spread his knowledge to others. These two scenarios reveal that man is climbing, but he is not climbing towards God but personal gain. So, if man in his sinful nature is seeking his own goals by climbing other mountains, how may salvation truly be attained?
The answer lies in the Word of God. God must descend the mountain and bring the climbers to the top. This is a wonderful and beautiful concept! After all, the corporate mountain only reaches so high and the scholastic ropes are only so long. In addition, the mountains of business and education do not deal with the problem of sin and man's separation from God. Man is climbing the wrong mountains and doesn't even care.
Many churches in the South have looked to the wrong mountains and provided climbing accessories that won't work. Morality does not lead to salvation. No matter how many good acts one commits, one cannot clean away the stains of sin. Man's righteousness can never reach the righteousness of God. This is why God provided Jesus Christ as a perfect sacrifice for the sins of mankind. Only a perfect sacrifice could erase imperfection. God, in His love and grace, sacrificed His son in order to provide a rescuer for mankind. Through Jesus Christ, man recognizes the mountain of salvation and is brought to the top through the efforts of Jesus Christ.
Therefore, the Gospel is not man-centered, but God-centered. When man reaches the top of the proverbial mountain of salvation he cannot boast in his own efforts, but in the efforts of Jesus Christ. After all, man did not know about the mountain apart from God showing him the mountain. In addition, man did not climb the mountain with his own methods and efforts, but Jesus Christ carried him.
The "mountain of salvation" is only an illustration. The illustration is not perfect, nor does it fully reveal the amazing power of God and His love. However, it is important to recognize that the Gospel points to glorifying God and the efforts of Jesus Christ, not man and his false morality.
