"Selfish spirituality"

Christianity is often 'sold' to Americans in consumer terms. "Come to Jesus," we are told, "and you will find a happier life, a better marriage, a brighter future." Churches, especially evangelical ones, have been quick to adopt Walmart's methods of marketing- learning to shape the Gospel in terms that appeal to wide audiences and how to create 'worship' experiences that stir up desirable emotions. Underlying all of this is a not so subtle appeal to the 'self.'

The Word teaches us that the Gospel is costly, not coddling, to self. Responding obediently to the Spirit's invitation to follow Jesus will not necessarily bring a happy, easy, or fulfilling life. It will please God and allow Him to use you in His purposes- which may or may not actually bring you happiness. Paul challenges the whole modern idea of finding a 'rich, fuller life in Jesus' here on earth when he says, "If only for this life we have hope in Christ, we are to be pitied more than all men." (1 Cor. 15:19 NIV) He says that in the context of a presentation of the Resurrection which is the true hope of those who follow Christ Jesus. If a happy, easy life was what Paul wanted, he should have stayed in the tent-making business in Tarsus! As an apostle of Christ, he lived from place to place, was often hungry, was driven away by hostile crowds, got himself beaten by the authorities, and ultimately was put to death by the Romans! None of that would have happened had he not chosen to give his life away to follow Jesus' call!

Even Jesus drove people away by the thousands by telling the truth about their lives and themselves. He called them 'sinners,' told them they faced judgment, and offered a cross to those who would come after him. Uncompromisingly, He told those who came to Him - "Forsake everything you love to follow me!"

He didn't promise cozy family scenes around the fireplace. Read these disturbing words carefully: “Don’t imagine that I came to bring peace to the earth! No, I came to bring a sword. I have come to set a man against his father, and a daughter against her mother, and a daughter-in-law against her mother-in-law. Your enemies will be right in your own household! If you love your father or mother more than you love me, you are not worthy of being mine; or if you love your son or daughter more than me, you are not worthy of being mine.
If you refuse to take up your cross and follow me, you are not worthy of being mine. If you cling to your life, you will lose it; but if you give it up for me, you will find it." Matthew 10:34-39 NLT America's mega-churches don't use that quote much in their tri-fold brochures! It isn't very 'seeker sensitive,' is it?

The result of our consumer oriented presentations of the Gospel are many. We have churches filled with unconverted congregants instead of real disciples; people who live almost no differently than their neighbors, who squabble and fight over position and image, who jump from church to church for the most petty reasons, and who think that articles like this one must be the result of the Pastor having not gotten a good night's sleep!

Eugene Peterson observes that even those who are considered 'spiritual' among us are often 'self' focused. "We've all met a certain type of spiritual person. She's a wonderful person. She loves the Lord. She prays and reads her Bible all the time. But all she thinks about is herself. She's not a selfish person, but she's always at the center of everything she's doing. 'How can I witness better? How can I do this better? How can I take care of this person's problem better?' It's me, me, me disguised in a way that is difficult to see because all of her spiritual talk disarms us." (Christianity Today, March, 2005, page 45)

True spirituality isn't about feeling some good vibes, gaining approval of others, or even becoming a nice person. It is about pursuing Christ in the ordinary stuff of life with choices of obedience. It is being a good husband when your wife is tired and cranky. It is offering your kids love and acceptance even when they are walking away from the course of life you think best for them. It is doing service in your community and church as you have opportunity without even considering if there is some benefit to you or your family. It is being part of a church community- not because the music is great, the preacher scintillating, or the Children's program is amazing - but because Christ calls us to be deeply connected to even those who are unlovely, unlikable, and selfish - just like us. It is being part of this mystery called salvation that promises that we will be changed by the persistent work of the Spirit deep inside- from sinners to saints and that at the end of this life- we will be welcomed home - not because we were worthy, but because God is merciful.

And, that, my friend, is the Gospel Truth!