If we are going to have an effect in the marketplace we have to be more willing to enter into conflict. Conflict is good. I hate it — I try to avoid it at all cost — but it’s good.

It’s been shown that people who become Christians lose contact with their former friends within about two years. That is, we form a new set of friends who believe and act like we do. This is a tragedy for the gospel, because the primary source of spreading the gospel is through relationships, but if we have no relationships with those who don’t know or believe the gospel, then the gospel (which means good news) is only good news for us and not anybody else. And what good is that?

We all do this; its human nature. We gravitate towards our own kind and are threatened by that which is different. This is why we have clubs, ethnic groups, nations and ultimately, wars, because of the fear and lack of understanding that comes from being around those who are different. And so, instead of being friends of sinners, we have culture wars.

We have to get over this if we are to bring the message of Christ to the culture.

Hear what Jesus said about this: “You have heard that it was said, ‘Love your neighbor and hate your enemy.’ But I tell you, love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, that you may be children of your Father in heaven. He causes his sun to rise on the evil and the good, and sends rain on the righteous and the unrighteous. If you love those who love you, what reward will you get? Are not even the tax collectors doing that? And if you greet only your own people, what are you doing more than others” (Matthew 5:43-47)?

I personally think this is why a Christian subculture has not been good for most Christians. It has created a buffer zone between us and the world so we can avoid conflict. All this Christian stuff has been for our benefit only, to make our lives easier and safer, but it has created cultural walls rather than bridges.

We’ve got to start thinking more about building bridges to the world around us. How do we connect with those outside the church? What do we have in common? How can we break down the walls between us?

Instead of demanding that people be like us, we need to try and understand what it’s like to be like them. We need to get into other people’s shoes.

Which brings me to one of my favorite Bob Dylan songs which I have loved for a long time, but only recently learned what it was really about, and so I have given it a new title:

What Bob Dylan Would Like to Say to Me …

You got a lotta nerve to say you are my friend
When I was down, you just stood there grinning
You got a lotta nerve to say you gotta helping hand to lend
You just want to be on the side that’s winning

You say I let you down, you know it’s not like that
If you’re so hurt why then don’t you show it?
You say you lost your faith but that’s not where it’s at
You have no faith to lose and you know it

I know the reason that you talk behind my back
I used to be among the crowd you’re in with
Do you take me for such a fool to think I’d make contact
With the one who tries to hide what he don’t know to begin with?

You see me on the street, you always act surprised
You say, “How are you? Good luck,” but you don’t mean it
When you know as well as me you’d rather see me paralyzed
Why don’t you just come out once and scream it?

No, I do not feel that good when I see the heartbreaks you embrace
If I was a master thief perhaps I’d rob them
And now I know you’re dissatisfied with your position and your place
Don’t you understand, it’s not my problem

I wish that for just one time you could stand inside my shoes
And just for that one moment, I could be you
Yes, I wish that for just one time, you could stand inside my shoes
You’d know what a drag it is to see you