CONSUMER CHRISTIANITY
We are, by nature, a nation of consumers. That's pretty much what makes our economy hum. Recently, people have stopped consuming quite as much and we've experienced an economic down turn. Politicians all say we need to turn this economy around, get people back to work and people consuming again. They all have different ideas how to do it, but our economy is still based on people consuming. It's the American way. Of course, over-consumption can lead to a society that's up to it's eyeballs in debt...but that's for another day and another post.
Americans...consumers...go...buy...consume...get...get some more...get all you can, can all you get and sit on the lid. It's the American way. However, when it comes to our Christianity, our Americanism may get in the way without our even knowing it. The American way...consume, consume, consume. Look for the place that gives you the best product with the best service at the best cost to you. After all, it's all about you.
Jesus taught quite the opposite though. And when our consumerism follows us into church, we tend to look for the best church that gives us the best product with the best service at the lowest cost to us. But, Jesus idea for His Church was that HE would be the product, WE would GIVE the service and WE would bear the cost. Since Jesus had already laid down his life for us, we would, in turn, lay down our lives for others. The Church would not be a place we would consume, but rather a place we would serve.
Our question to the church should not be, "What have you got for me?", but rather, "How can I be of service?" Is that the question you're asking?
Americans...consumers...go...buy...consume...get...get some more...get all you can, can all you get and sit on the lid. It's the American way. However, when it comes to our Christianity, our Americanism may get in the way without our even knowing it. The American way...consume, consume, consume. Look for the place that gives you the best product with the best service at the best cost to you. After all, it's all about you.
Jesus taught quite the opposite though. And when our consumerism follows us into church, we tend to look for the best church that gives us the best product with the best service at the lowest cost to us. But, Jesus idea for His Church was that HE would be the product, WE would GIVE the service and WE would bear the cost. Since Jesus had already laid down his life for us, we would, in turn, lay down our lives for others. The Church would not be a place we would consume, but rather a place we would serve.
Our question to the church should not be, "What have you got for me?", but rather, "How can I be of service?" Is that the question you're asking?
Hummm!
ReplyDeleteWell, the worldly definition of the church has slowly changed over the years. Today most think it is place to go to. "The body of Christ" "The Church" is a group of people who chosen Christ as their Lord! And in this since I agree with you. In this context, once a person as chosen Christ as Lord, Then they will desire to find a place to serve. However, the definition of church today is place where people go to hear about Christ, learn about Christ, see if they want to follow Christ, become a disciple of Christ. In this context of the word "church", they need to be fed and should not serve until they have received Godly food first, so they will have Godly things to serve or to give to others. I believe they need to sit at His feet and be fed first otherwise they will not have much in them from God to serve others. They maybe able to serve in some ways, I am just confident it they will be serving Jesus to others until they know who Jesus is. They need to walk with Him first. This to me seems to be what is called the "church" today even though it is not the definition of the scriptures. And in this context then I under stand why people are searching for the right "church". And as a Christ follower that has chosen Jesus as Lord, I would want to be apart of a group of Christ followers that are teaching, preaching, disciple of people with the true gospel of Jesus Christ. Which is a whole other topic! I am sure that you can understand why so many followers are searching for the right place to serve. As Christ followers get more understanding of the "TRUTH" then they start looking for places where "TRUTH" exists. However, it seems that we even have to give what is called "churches " today the same Grace that He has given us.....Russell