Then his disciples began arguing about which of them was the greatest. But Jesus knew their thoughts, so he brought a little child to his side. Then he said to them, “Anyone who welcomes a little child like this on my behalf welcomes me, and anyone who welcomes me also welcomes my Father who sent me. Whoever is the least among you is the greatest.” [Luke 9.46-48]
Who is the greatest? The least.
Well that goes against about everything the world teaches today!
It is time that believers in Jesus find their culture in Him and not in the world and its ways! For far too long, the church has conformed to the world to the point now where believers and non-believers all look and act basically the same. The church utilizes worldly methods - even to the point of the psychology of man.
For example, the church has largely done away with passionate preaching warning people of hell to come. Why? Because people don't want to hear it. And what is the result? The Holy Spirit is shuffled right out the door of our churches so we might welcome some psycho-babble about everyone just needing to be happy!
The problem is, people are not changed.
Churches are full of unsaved, un-regenerated people.
Some churches have abandoned altar calls. Why? Because of the psychology of it - some highly educated person decided that men and women did not have to take a stand for Christ, but could silently, in their own way, receive salvation. This all sounds good, but Jesus clearly refuted it in saying if He was denied before men, He would deny the deny-er before His Father.
I tell you, a person needs to experience the personal anguish of letting go of their pride, forgetting what people think, letting go of the chair or pew in front of them, and walking down to the altar to be prayed with! There is a release there. There is a release in a person taking up their cross and following Jesus! There is cleansing from the world and its ways!
We don't need to pander to human pride! It must be squashed! We must all approach our Maker with these words, "Lord, have mercy on me - a sinner!" There is no shame in it - but to the contrary, there is great release. There is help. There is God!
The Son of a King doesn't need to be reminded of it constantly! He lives it out every day!
Father, help me to quit my pride. Be merciful to me, Lord.
No comments:
Post a Comment