Have you had a copernican revolution? Every follower of Jesus really should have one!
And no, it's not a new craft beer or cafe or dance move. It's not even the latest Christian fad like the 'Toronto Blessing' or new discipleship programme or 'silver bullet' evangelistic course that will turn the tide of mission.
The original copernican revolution began when Polish (shout out to Lily Bannister!) astronomer and mathematician, Nicolaus Copernicus, first proposed that it was the sun, not the earth, that was the centre of the solar system. Up until that point everyone (with the exception of Philolaus in the 5th century BC) had thought that the earth was the centre of everything.
This discovery turned the astronomic and scientific world on its head and marked the start of a broader Scientific Revolution that set the foundations of modern science.
So why should every Christian have a copernican revolution?
Now I am not assuming you believe the sun orbits the earth but every single one of us, by our nature, assume that we are the centre of the universe. That life is all about us, our success and comfort and happiness.
When we encounter the good news of Jesus it is possible for us to stop short of fulling grasping what it means for us.
Yes, Christ died in our place for our sins so that we can be forgiven and experience eternal life with God.
Yes, living in line with God's will as revealed in his Word is the best way for us to live in his world.
Yes, being gathered together with brothers in sisters in Christ is a great blessing, to belong to a new community of redeemed sinners to walk alongside through the journey of life.
It is possible to leave the gospel there and fail to fully grasp what it means, to no have the full copernican revolution.
See the gospel pushes further, it reveals to us that we are not the centre of the universe but that Jesus, God the Son is the focal point of all history.
The gospel reveals to us that God and other people are not here to meet my needs and provide for my happiness but that I am made to serve the creator God and his people above my own comforts and desires.
The gospel reveals, as the song says,
"This life I live is not my own
For my redeemer paid the price
He took it to be his alone
To be his treasure and his prize
The things of earth I leave behind
To live in worship of my King
His is the right to rule my life
Mine is the joy to live for him"
We see the revolution in Romans 12:1, "I urge you, brothers and sisters, in view of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God – this is your true and proper worship."
Have you, through the gospel, come to grips with the reality that the universe doesn't revolve around you? Have you, through the gospel, come to realise that your life belongs to God and is to be lived in services of God and his kingdom?
So, have you had a copernican revolution? Every follower of Jesus really should have one!
Grace & peace,
Andrew