Some Neglected Aspects of Our Calling

I don’t recall how this short little book (a mere 137 pages) came into my hands, but boy am I ever glad it did! I needed this spiritual flashlight to brighten some dark corners of my life, to enlighten me to those “neglected aspects” of my Christian calling.

John Stott wrote this book from his hospital bed (what I believe was actually his deathbed) as a final farewell to his parishioners and to his general reading public. Following an impressively long, prolific theological ministry (in which he was considered among the 100 most influential people of the century), Stott realized that he had only so much energy left. Yet he also had this urge to share just one final piece of advice with his Christian audience, and this book is that advice.

Stott shares eight things that Christians are wont to ignore or neglect in their growth in Christ. I’ll introduce each here, but briefly.

1. Non-conformity

He writes of the dangers of pluralism, materialism, ethical relativism, and narcissism. I found this first chapter very insightful, for it put into words the feelings I’ve had lately about the church’s ethical relativism: why have so many Christians lowered their moral standards these past two decades? While it’s wonderful that Christianity has become more accessible to folks who would otherwise never enter church doors, I wonder why so many have allowed that corporate accessibility to turn into their own individual “freedom” to be part of the world. The lifestyles, entertainments, etc. of many Christians seem to mirror those of the world, where there’s really no way to tell a Christian from a non-. It’s a frightening downgrade to behold.

Of materialism, Stott makes a very poignant remark. In paraphrasing Job, he says: “Life on earth is a brief pilgrimage between two moments of nakedness. So we would be wise to travel light.” (21)

2. Christlikeness

In a similar vein, he also writes of the importance of true Christlikeness, a goal we purse by actually studying and watching Jesus’ actions, attitudes, and character in the Word. Whether it’s Jesus’ service, love, patient endurance or mission, every aspect of our lives can be better scrubbed in order for us to reflect the image of Christ more clearly. It’s a daily pursuit, but one of obedience and great reward.

3. Maturity

Christlikeness can only be achieved through a return to true dependence on and understanding of the Word of God. It’s both our milk and our meat. Of the Bible, Stott beautifully writes: it “could be described as the Father’s portrait of the Son painted by the Holy Spirit.” (45)

4. Creation Care

I recall having grown up learning that we humans are meant to dominate creation, that recycling and conservation are un-Christian nature-worship, and that environmentalists are all “wackos.” As I’ve matured over the years, however, I’ve become an amateur naturalist and a conservationist. I’m no wacko, and I’m probably still a “Denier,” but I have come to recognize that for us to “have dominion over” creation means that we have a responsibility to care for it, as would a gardener or a zoo-keeper. God has given us this planet with all its resources for proper use, enjoyment, and expansion. Hunting and deforestation, for example, can be acceptable practices, so long as we establish limits to our actions and effectively replenish those resources which we’re taking.

Stott’s emphasis here is that Christians who ignore the plight of our planet are failing in their God-given duty to care for this creation. He discusses pollution, the O-zone, and climate change, and while I don’t agree with everything he writes, I’m so glad that he included this important yet neglected aspect in his list of eight.

5. Simplicity

This chapter is basically a replication of a pamphlet he helped write in 1980, “An Evangelical Commitment to Simple Life-Style.” Other books like David Platt’s Radical and Something Needs to Change or Francis Chan’s Crazy Love also deal with this important issue, and while it covers that concept of materialism, it far more emphasizes our need not simply to give up our possessions but also to discover strategic means for giving them away. American Christians especially should get this declaration tattooed on their hands where they can see it every day: “To whom much has been given, much more will be required.”

6. Balance

This whole chapter is an incredible sermon based upon 1Peter 2:1-17. To paraphrase his concluding thoughts: First, we are called to both individual discipleship (as babies) and corporate fellowship (as stones)…Second, we are called both to worship (as holy priests) and work (as God’s own people who witness)…Third, we care called to both pilgrimage (as aliens and strangers) and citizenship (as citizens). (p.98)

7. Dependence

He gets very personal here in describing how dependent on others he’s become in his old age, and this is something that individualistic Christians need to recognize. We need each other, and part of humility is admitting this, asking for help when we need it, and accepting it when it comes. He even uses Driving Miss Daisy as healthy example of how such change can come, even for the most stubborn of Christian leaders.

8. Death

With Stott’s own end so near, he admits that this has been long on his mind. Yet he doesn’t focus only on the physical death that awaits him but also on the spiritual death required at salvation, the death to self required for true discipleship, the willingness to die in mission, the persecution that’s promised to us all, the martyrdom that some will experience, and then of course the physical death which we mortals all will face.

While John Stott’s Anglican tradition might keep most Baptists at bay, I believe that they’re missing out on some solid, biblical, and practical Christian teachings, and they would do well to look him up. This book in particular reminds me of Jerry Bridges‘ book Respectable Sins, which also serves as a flashlight on the darkened corners of our hearts. I gladly recommend this book as a quick yet powerful encouragement from a man who gave his long life in service to the Lord.

©2020 E.T.

Read More from John Stott:

• The Baptism and Fulness of the Holy Spirit (1964)
• Between Two Worlds (1982)
• The Radical Disciple (2010)