Who's Serving Who?

I know that I am getting older, but I’m not that old. Yet it seems to me that since I first began my pastoral ministry in 1986, things have certainly changed within the Body of Christ. Even more so since I was a child growing up in the church in the sixties and seventies. Growing up, it was about serving the Lord. It was about abandoning our way of life and giving ourselves completely to the will and service of God. It was about denying ourselves, picking up our own cross and following Christ. Today… the only cross for many is worn around their neck as a showpiece. There is no denial of self or sacrifice. Slick hucksters have sold a gospel of wealth and prosperity and few seem to notice that the only ones getting wealthy are the ones selling that message. 

What has happened is that gullible people have bought into a gospel which does not require change or sacrifice. In this gospel, they are not the followers. Instead, they have made Jesus out to be the follower of them. It’s like Jesus shadows their steps, waiting to be summoned like a genie in a lamp to grant their wish or get them out of a mess they have created in their selfish way of living. It used to be that “believers” followed Jesus saying, “What can I do for you today, Master.” It used to be that we followed the Biblical pattern where Jesus called out to Peter, Andrew, James, and John, saying “follow me” and they got up, left everything and followed Jesus. Today’s gospel insinuates that we simply continue doing what we have always done and Jesus follows after us removing every obstacle and pouring out blessings like a fairy god-mother. Don’t get me wrong. I do believe that God wants to and does bless His people, but that should not be our motivation in following Christ. Our motivation should be pure love and devotion to the one who ransomed us from Hell and set us free from the curse of sin and death.  

I’m gravely concerned for the church. In the area where I live I have personally witnessed people who have walked away from the church and Christ because they are disillusioned because their “wishes” did not come true. They were never taught to deny themselves or carry their cross and when troubles and trials came, and the magic wand did not swipe them all away, they walked away, blaming God. They never comprehended that the gospel teaches us to: “Count it all joy, my brothers, when you meet trials of various kinds, for you know that the testing of your faith produces steadfastness.” They never contemplated the words of Paul where he said, “For I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worth comparing with the glory that is to be revealed to us.”  They may have read the words, but they never applied them. Peter clearly penned these words, “Beloved, do not be surprised at the fiery trial when it comes upon you to test you, as though something strange were happening to you.”  That is for me, you and for all believers. Yet these hucksters say that it is a lack of faith or that you need to give more to their ministry so that you might be delivered from your situation.  It’s just not the gospel that is found in the Bible.  Rather than following Christ, deceived men and women are following the glitz and glitter of men and women who are living high on the hog on the gullibility of those who follow. Like the Pied Piper, they are leading millions to their destruction.

As I close this, I am reminded of the words of a song penned by Carman…

I believe in God the Father

Jesus Christ, His only Son

And the blessed Holy Spirit

Distinct, yet three in one

I believe there is forgiveness

For everything we've done

That is why all the more

I will serve Him

I believe the Son of God

Was crucified upon the tree

And laid within a borrowed tomb

Not far from Calvary

I believe He rose up from the dead

Alive for all to see

That is why all the more

I will serve Him

I have made my decision

I have staked my claim

I have drawn a line in the sand

And I'll not be ashamed

With the world behind me

And the cross before

By the grace of God

I will serve the Lord

I believe you must be born again

John 3:16 is true

The old life can be washed away

Everything made new

I believe the love of God

Can somehow find its way to you

That is why all the more

I will serve Him