By Didi Bacon

In May it was reported that Pastor Tim Keller died of pancreatic cancer.  While Pastor Keller and I would disagree on a few things theologically, there are many things on which we would have no argument.  The preacher of the church I grew up in used to say “reading is like eating fish; eat the meat and spit out the bones”.  This post I read on my LinkedIn feed by Paul J. Batura on Tim Keller’s last message is all meat, particularly for these times.

LinkedIn post by Paul J. Batura

5/22/23

Pastor Tim Keller, who died Friday at the age of 72, left behind one last message that his church, Redeemer Presbyterian, just released this morning.

It wasn’t a full sermon but an exhortation – 3 pieces of advice that has widespread applicability in our professional life, as well as our personal one.

First, Tim urged his congregation to “LIVE ON THE RAZOR’S EDGE.” What did he mean by that? He pointed out that the Babylonians took the Jews to Babylon in order to compel them to lose their identity. The farther away from your homeland, the easier it is to forget your ways.

That’s a mistake, Tim said, and the application for us is that Christians aren’t supposed to assimilate into the culture and lose our identities as believers. “Keep your identity,” Tim said. “Be different.”

We are called to stick out, and it’s our differences that will make us successful. When I was a kid on Long Island, the radio station WPLJ used to have a slogan, “Dare to be Different” – that’s good advice today.

The second bit of advice Tim gave was to “INVEST, DON’T JUST CONSUME.”

Give back. The world can look bleak – just as it did when Jeremiah bought land in order to demonstrate his commitment. Consider where you live and then consider how you might best serve the people around you. Use your resources to give back, and be willing to build for a time you may never see.

Finally, Tim Keller urged his people to “FORGET ABOUT YOUR REPUTATION.”

Lots of people go to the city to make a name for themselves. Of course, it’s not just cities. People are always trying to make a name for themselves. That’s a mistake.

It brings to mind C.S. Lewis great message on the Inner Ring. Lewis said we’re always striving to be somewhere we’re not. Instead, we should do what we love with the people we love – and create our own ring.

Do what’s right. That’s what you should do. But don’t make your ministry or business success – or lack of it – your identity.

Instead of lifting up your reputation, as a Christian, lift up Jesus’ name.

Reverend Dr. Timothy J. Keller. What a life!”