The Flog – The Fabry Log

Dear Glenn,

This letter has changed a lot. It was meant for you and now I see it was meant for someone else. But first, let me say I like you a lot. I’ve attended your Fathom events in theaters. I love your humor, honesty, and that you get choked up. I love that you’ve struggled in life. We have a lot in common.

In my first try, I challenged you to do what you have called us to do, which is look at the truth. The whole “things may get worse before they get better when we search for truth” was something I wanted you to do. I don’t think you have done that with your faith, but now the emphasis of this letter has changed.

You see, the gathering at the Lincoln Memorial was such a microcosm to me of what’s wrong with me. With the church. The true body of Christ. What happened there has been a huge wake-up call because though what you called for was ambitious, it falls so far short of what God can do in us and through us. God has given us spiritual dynamite. It’s called the gospel. It’s the fact that Jesus, the Messiah, who was God in human flesh, fully human, fully divine, stepped out of heaven, made himself nothing, and became a servant, obedient even to the cross. His blood was given as the perfect sacrifice and it’s the only way you and I have to be made right with God. Because God rose him from the dead, we can have new life. We can live with the power he gives and not rely on our own.

Your rally showed me how much we try to reach for match sticks or firecrackers instead of the dynamite. And I don’t blame you for your efforts. In fact, I applaud your desire to have our nation move toward God and honor and charity, hope, and faith. But no matter how much steam the movement picks up, appeals to the civil religion can never have the power that God really intended.

God took 12 men who were unlearned, like yourself, and he turned the world upside down. It wasn’t through politics. It wasn’t through their persuasiveness. It wasn’t through their star power. And it wasn’t because they loved their country more than others. It wasn’t because they had a show on Fox. They turned the world upside down because of the message they had—that people can find freedom from their sin. They don’t have to be slaves to it anymore. They can have a relationship with God through the mediator, who is Christ Jesus.

I’m not angry at the black robes behind you. I think they believe they’re doing the right thing. But linking arms with and advancing a movement that is like a sparkler compared to an atomic bomb will only succeed in the short term. The gospel changes people for eternity.

If the Apostle Paul were to walk among us today I don’t think he would talk with you first. I think he would look at me, at Christians. He wouldn’t talk about the Constitution. He wouldn’t talk about the faith of George Washington. He would ask this: “What part of the resurrection don’t you get?” That event changed everything. It was a spiritual atomic bomb.

I’ll vote, I’ll work with my neighbors to stand for life, for truth, and feeding the hungry and clothing the poor. We are told to take care of widows and orphans. But Jesus also sent us out to proclaim the news that is powerful enough to change hearts from the inside out. That’s the only kind of change that will last. That is the fundamental change we need in our society, in our world.

So I’ve come to see that my problems with you and your beliefs are not really why I’m so passionate about this subject. I thought it was about the unequal yoking of believers with those who don’t believe. I thought it was your calling for us to return to whatever God we choose that was my biggest problem. But as it turns out, and as it always does, it’s my heart that needs to turn the right way.

John 17:3 says “And this is life eternal, to know Thee, the only true God, and Jesus Christ whom Thou hast sent.” Paul says in Romans 1:16, “I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ: for it is the power of God unto salvation to every one that believeth…”

I believe God wants a revival in the hearts of his people. And I think he wants to do more than restore honor for the short term. And that’s not going to happen unless His people repent, turn from lesser pursuits, and get right with him.

Thanks Glenn, for making this clearer to me. And I pray you will come to know and understand the truth about who God really is and how great his love was and is for you.

Sincerely,
Chris Fabry