One of the most fundamental lessons Jesus taught the early disciples was servanthood. The word was synonymous with Christianity for centuries. In many third world countries today, where the Christian church is growing by leaps and bounds, it remains so. However, in the United States this basic, critically important concept has fallen prey to our popular use of "substitute theology" so rampant today.
Original Principle vs. USA Substitute Theology Principle
1. Servanthood vs. Church Members as Customers
2. "GO, Make Disciples" vs. "COME, We Will Be Nice to You"
3. Overcome Fear vs. Maximize Comfort
4. Vows Are Sacred vs. Vows Are [Optional]
If our orientation comes from servanthood, then our lifestyle reflects giving and sharing. We put others first. We love unconditionally. We take the burdens of others and bear them with the love and compassion of Christ.
On the other hand, if we see ourselves as customers, we WANT. We demand. We criticize and comment on little things that don't amount to much. We can agitate, aggravate and irritate because we are the ones being served. This entire mindset was about as far from Jesus Christ as one could move. It still is today. Let's check our hearts. Are we servants or customers? We can make an incredible impact for Christ if we live for Him and not for ourselves.
-- Rev. Jim Hollis in MENS News Newsletter, May-June 1999
#2582
Wednesday, July 21, 2010
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The fundamental question is "whom do we serve?" Do we serve our own interests or are we focused on serving God and the community we are called to?
ReplyDeleteThe Pharisees served their own ego and holiness. Jesus served the marginalized.
The 16th century Catholic Church served their own grandeur. The Protestant Reformation sought to bring God directly to the people.
Our mainline denominations seek to go back to the way things were in the 1950s and people came to them. Many non-denominational churches seek to bring the Gospel to a new generation in a way that is relevant to THEM.
It comes back to what we are seeking...our own comfort or reaching the lost for God. We fall into the trap of forgetting "whom" we serve.
Shame on us.
I suggest you find more like the one you found for today. Excellent.
ReplyDeleteRon R. in Wisconsin