A Flair for the Dramatic?

A Flair for the Dramatic?

P.T. Barnum built a career on providing entertainment.  His show, which was titled  "P. T. Barnum's Grand Traveling Museum, Menagerie, Caravan & Hippodrome," traveled the pre-TV, 19^th century United States, attracting people to a show full of freaks, oddities and performers who appeared to be doing things that defied death.  Most of the show was faked, but the illusions brought in the crowds. For an hour or so, for a small fee, he gave them a break from life.

It concerns me that our Christianity is sometimes reduced to an hour on Sunday morning that aims at providing an emotional experience built around music, or inspirational stories, or even highly dramatic preaching. Sinclair Ferguson observes that much of best-selling Christian literature is focused on “the signs of Christ’s return (“very soon”), with unusual, dramatic experiences (set forth as “genuine” Christianity), or with dramatic gifts (“the signs” of the Holy Spirit).”  In fact, we are called to be disciples of Christ, a word that shares roots with the word ‘discipline.’   Our life in Christ is not really about drama, at all! It is about learning to live like Jesus Christ, trained in godliness, pleasing our Father. Ferguson says, “The thrust of biblical teaching emphasizes the long-term, patient, undramatic building of Christian character through unspectacular means.”

Before you object that I have stolen the joy of faith, I’ll remind us that the true Christians demands a spiritual transformation.  He does not call us to be dreary souls who plod along the Way to Heaven, repressing all things happy or celebratory.  There is ‘joy in serving Jesus!’  The Cross and Resurrection lift the heavy weight of guilt from our shoulders, assure us that we are children of God, and give us the certain hope of eternal life at home with our Abba. Could there be anything better?

Well, for some Christians apparently that is not enough! They want to be thrilled again and again. So every now and then, they change churches seeking some new experience.  Today they are chanting with monks, next year  they will be dancing with charismatics, the year after that they will be looking for yet another way to ‘make it all new,’ again.  Christ calls us beyond such things to maturity.  Yes, the goal of our faith is not to be charged up with excitement yet again. It is to be "reach unity in the faith and in the knowledge of the Son of God and become mature, attaining to the whole measure of the fullness of Christ. Then we will no longer be infants, tossed back and forth by the waves, and blown here and there by every wind of teaching and by the cunning and craftiness of men in their deceitful scheming." (Ephesians 4:13-14, NIV)   Grown-up Christians no longer need to fight about secondary doctrine because they have learned about love that brings unity. They won’t argue about speaking in tongues, End Time issues, or modes of baptism. Yes, they have convictions but those are secondary to their love for Christ’s Body, the Church.  They love Jesus Christ and are capable of explaining their faith’s roots in Him.  His character is evident in their lives demonstrated by the fruit of the Spirit - " love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control." (Galatians 5:22-23, NIV)

Mature Christians are servants, faithful and reliable.  Instead being childishly insistent on what ‘makes me happy’ they gladly accept their calling in Him to become "God’s people (prepared) for works of service, so that the body of Christ may be built up." (Ephesians 4:12, NIV)

Are you ready to leave the need for the drama behind?

Are you ready for discipleship?

Here’s a word from the Word.  May the Lord give us ears to hear what the Spirit is saying to His Church.  "So come on, let’s leave the preschool fingerpainting exercises on Christ and get on with the grand work of art. Grow up in Christ. The basic foundational truths are in place: turning your back on “salvation by self-help” and turning in trust toward God; baptismal instructions; laying on of hands; resurrection of the dead; eternal judgment. God helping us, we’ll stay true to all that. But there’s so much more. Let’s get on with it!   (Hebrews 6:1, Message)

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