Jim Elliot’s Rebuke of Self-Reliant Youth Workers (Like Me)

Well, maybe not on youth workers specifically. But you’ll see what I mean:

“We have been very much encouraged–through reading a book that deals with examples of apostolic missionary methods–to believe again for some sort of New Testament pattern to be worked out among forest Quichuas*. How false and fleshly to reason that God will do a work here ‘because Pete, Ed, and Jim are trained, capable, young, and strong!’ I have been much impressed lately of the absolute necessity of God Himself rousing the conscience. I do not know how, nor even where, to begin to make a man think seriously about sin and judgment, and must look to the work of the Holy Spirit for the beginning move toward any hint of such a working.”

– Jim Elliot, in a letter to his future wife, Elisabeth, April, 1953, as recorded in Shadow of the Almighty. Emphasis his.

God has to do it. Let’s be less self-impressed, self-reliant, and technique-addicted. Let’s ask Him to change hearts.

More on this later.

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*The Quichuas were the South American Indians to whom Pete Fleming, Ed McCully, and Jim Elliot, et. al., were missionaries before they were martyred among the Aucas three years later.

Saturdays With Dr. Piper: What God’s Love Gives Us

“Consider this question: In view of God’s infinite power and wisdom and beauty, what would His love for a human being involve? Or to put it another way: What could God give us to enjoy that would prove Him most loving? There is only one possible answer: Himself! If He withholds Himself from our contemplation and companionship, no mater what else He gives us, He is not loving.”

– Desiring God, 47-8.