Have We Been Pursuing the Wrong Thing?
Have we been pursuing the wrong thing? In what area of our life do you ask such a question? I would say in “church” and in society as a whole. How so? You ask.
It is easy to see in society, but not so easy in “church”. Society in the West has slowly abandoned the path of God. After the Reformation, we had the “Age of Enlightenment.” God was still in the picture but “truth” was also to be revealed by Nature. This rushed in the “modern age” which accelerated in 1900. Modernism rejected all revealed religious beliefs and moral codes. Man began to believe he could “re-invent ” society himself–hence socialism and communism ideologies were invented to lead to this “perfect man” and society. This belief in ever ending progress was shattered by the horrors of two world wars. The ideology of post-modernism followed. Postmodernism postulated there is no “absolute truth”– only “truth” defined by those in power.
Though identify ideologies grew out of this, the present manifestation is the total ideology of the “self.” Man has no anchor in God or revealed morality. Rather, man can determine all moral codes for himself and even redefine what nature clearly teaches. All of this is a secular pursuit of the “wrong thing.” Man cannot perfect society. Man cannot create for himself sustainable moral codes or way of life. The true way is only found in God.
What about the “church”. The essay today is “What Should Church Look LIke?” Again, the focus, seems to be on the wrong thing. Whether our own faith group or Christianity as whole, the pursuit is not how each individual can be transformed into the image of Christ. It is not how to equip each member to use his God given gifts for works of service. It is not to pursue unity, love for one another, nor for each member to demonstrate the fruits of the spirit. (These are the three ways the bible says we can identify Christians.) The pursuit anymore is not on sharing the gospel locally nor on mission fields. Rather the focus is on an “excellent worship service”, the right kind of staff to do the work of the church, having a great charismatic preacher, or having the best facility to attract non-members. The church now has all the characteristics of a business enterprise. But the Lord’s church is not a business.
Well, where has this taken us as a people? Look around. You see division. You see a declining membership and interest in religion. You see a lonely populace and membership. You see members who go “to church” who know almost nothing about their fellow members. One would think this would be a wake-up call to all. Is it?
Thought provoking and truthful. It definitely hits close to home. It is still the “old old story” which must be the focal point of our lives. The focal point of our worship, our witness, and our daily walk.
So true about the focal point. Unfortunately our culture encourages anything but the correct focal point
Sobering topic. The gathering of God’s people is generally for praising God and encouraging other believers, while doing so. It seems very difficult to encourage another person, if we know little to nothing about them — very difficult indeed.
And, in our fractured culture, it takes uncommon effort to know anything about another person. Our emphasis on “worship” at a large service to the exclusive of true fellowship doesnt help
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Well said Lynn. For “mankind” (esp. politicians) or anyone for that matter, who think that they can recreate a “perfect society;” some kind of “utopia” here on earth are simply delusional. Mankind’s flaws are because of that very difficult word we don’t like to be confronted with, it’s called “sin.” We just attempt to do the best we can while serving Him. We can never solve all the world’s problems “quickly” and, in fact, this is simply impossible. Our task is to share the “good news” that Jesus accomplished for us.
Unfortunately, man tries to find utopia through some scheme of his own. It cannot succeed. Agree our task is to point to the right pursuit of the good news of Jesus
Great comment Tom.
So true Tom.
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