A strange sounding suggestion

“Preach the Gospel, die, and be forgotten.” This is a loose quote attributed to a preacher named Count Zinzendorf (1700-1760), a bishop of the Moravian Church. These words were meant to both shock and admonish the young missionaries he was training. Doubtless to their youthful ears, this was a strange sounding suggestion, indeed. However, this quote has survived centuries for a reason. The ambitious evangelist or zealous missionary needs to hear and meditate on this wise counsel. Zinzendorf, the weathered pastor, sought to remind his students they were not being sent to foreign fields to build their own fiefdoms or publicize their own name. Instead, they (along with all Spirit-called ministers) are heralds of the King, sent to proclaim Christ and further His kingdom, not our own. Self-promotion, pride, nor a desire for prominence have any place in the heart of a disciple of Jesus, particularly those in the ministry. The Christian instead, should seek to emulate the humble sentiments of John the Baptist and say: “He (Jesus) must increase, and I must decrease (John 3:30).” Every born-again believer should desire to see the name of Jesus glorified among men, whether people on this earth ever recognize us or not. Though spoken over three centuries ago, Zinzendorf’s counsel could well be applied to the Christian today. Preach the Gospel, share the Gospel, promote the Gospel. Die and be forgotten.

Let me clarify: no one wants to be wholly forgotten when we die. We all want to leave some mark or some memory on those around us. Zinzendorf was not suggesting that Christians lead such an isolated monastic life, that no one is aware we ever lived. No, it’s quite the contrary. The believer should strive to make an eternal impression in the lives of others. In the Christian community, it is the memory of those who have most impacted the kingdom of Christ that are most revered. Furthermore, Zinzendorf was not recommending we dishonor our loved ones by erasing all memories of them. Whether dead or alive, we ought to give reverential honor to whom honor is due (Romans 13:7). Rather the seasoned saint was emphasizing the spiritual over the temporal.

While Zinzendorf’s words could be misconstrued when not taken in context, the meaning behind his exhortation is Biblically sound. In view of eternity, what does it matter if humanity remembers much about us but know nothing about Jesus? What would it profit someone spiritually or eternally to have heard your every opinion on politics but not heard the Gospel? What do you want to be remembered for? Our unyielding allegiance to some political party or your whole-hearted commitment to Jesus Christ?

When you are dead and gone, what do you want people to remember about you? Seriously, Christian — contemplate these questions. If your name is brought up, do people instantly associate you with your favorite sport, sports team or hobby? Or do they associate you with Christ? I realize “down here in SEC country,” Georgia football is a way of lift, but Christian folks ought to be more concerned with seeing people saved than seeing football on Saturday (or Sunday). Therefore, the disciple of Jesus should devote more time and affection to the eternal than the temporal. I am certainly not opposed to sports, hobbies or leisure, for they all have their proper place. Yet, I don’t want to be primarily remembered as a Bulldog fan, or a gun rights advocate, or an American patriot — though I am all of those things and more. If I am remembered at all, I don’t want it to be mainly for any earthly affiliation but as a forgiven follower of Jesus Christ.

What about you?

Perhaps you’ve become successful in business, and your name is engraved on buildings and street signs all over the community. Yet, if you are a Christian, you should be more concerned about your friends and family being familiar with the wonderful deeds of Jesus of Nazareth than your own. Don’t misunderstand me, do great things for humanity. Just don’t trust in those things to save the soul. Nor, emphasize the importance of these earthly accomplishments over the soul-saving message of Christ. For on the day of judgment, your good works will not commend you (or anyone else) to God the Father.

“Preach the Gospel. Die and be forgotten” is a strange sounding suggestion, indeed. Further yet, these words are about as counter-cultural as any you’ll ever hear. But they are also a convicting challenge for Christians to live in such a way that people perceive our love for Jesus exceeds our love for anyone or anything else. Zinzendorf cautioned the young missionaries under his care to make the Gospel the centerpiece of their lives, and so too should every Christian.

If people remember anything about me when I am dead and gone, I hope it is something like this: “Bro. Lewis preached Jesus Christ and Him crucified as the only hope for lost mankind. Again, and again he warned us to flee from the wrath to come, by trusting in the finished work of the Risen Messiah for the forgiveness of sin.”

Everything else is less.

HHJ News