"What things were gain to me, those I counted loss for Christ; yea doubtless, and I count all things but loss for the excellency of the knowledge of Christ Jesus my Lord: for whom I have suffered the loss of all things, and do count them but dung, that I may win Christ."
Philippians 3:7-8
What lies deep within the heart of a true disciple of Christ that makes him want to stay focused on being in the center of God's will? What is it that drives and compels him to want to serve the purpose of God above everything else? What makes him so different from the majority of those, within the church, who have gradually become enamored with the need to be served rather than to serve, or to seek out what they can get out of a church rather than what they can put into a church?
This is an unfortunate condition that is increasingly becoming more and more of a concern within most churches in America. Statistically, it has been stated that only 10% of most church members are the ones who do 90% of the work of the ministry. In some cases, it is even less. Areas that suffer the most are usually with corporate prayer and evangelism (two very critical areas that Christ laid as a foundation to church life). It appears that in today's church culture folks have become more interested in attending ministries that offer more in meeting their own needs than in offering themselves to help meet the needs of the church. That is why the more media-driven, program-oriented, and service-friendly a church is the more chances it has of growing by leaps and bounds. While I am certainly not against diversification or making use of the technical advancements we have available today, I am rather concerned that this trend does not appear to show signs or provide a guarantee that the church is spiritually healthy or that it is pursuing the proper Christian initiative.
In today's world, we are living within a society that is predominantly centered on self-gratification. In other words, the less sacrifice we have to make the easier life is and the happier it makes us! There is however, a different thought that distinguished this kind of thinking from that which occupied the minds of most of the early church. The Bible mentions how the Hebrew Christians, "...took joyfully the spoiling of their goods, knowing that within themselves they had in heaven a better and an enduring substance" (Heb. 10:34). It also says, "And they (the apostles) departed from the presence of the council, rejoicing that they were counted worthy to suffer shame for his name" (Acts 5:41). Paul, in writings to the church of Philippi said, "For it is given in the behalf of Christ, not only to believe on him, but to suffer for his sake" (Phil. 1:29). Even Peter wrote: "Yet if any man suffer as a Christian, let him not be ashamed; but let him glorify God on this behalf" (1 Pet. 4:16).
What am I saying? Am I somehow implying that we are to relish in suffering hardships or persecution? No, of course not! But what I am saying is that we have to maintain the right perceptive in life. Jesus prayed to the Father in his high priestly prayer, and said, "They are not of the world, even as I am not of the world" (John 17:16). In other words, our purpose here on this earth is not to try and secure all the comforts we can so that we are well protected against losing anything that we have gained, or that we maintain our focus on obtaining all that we can from this world. One of the greatest teachings Jesus ever offered was to the young ruler who asked him, "What shall I do that I may inherit eternal life?" He answered him by listing all the different commandments in the law. The young man answered back: "All these have I observed from my youth." And then Jesus made this bold and life-changing statement: "Then Jesus beholding him loved him, and said, `One thing thou lackest: go thy way, sell whatsoever thou hast, and give to the poor, and thou shalt have treasure in heaven: and come, take up the cross, and follow me'" (Mark 10:17-22).
What is the Christian initiative? It is living with Christ's perspective on life. We are here to give all we can to serve the purpose of God. It is not about us. It is about him! It is not about what we have or what we can get. It is about what we can do to promote the gospel of Jesus Christ, to work while it is day for the night cometh when no man can work, and it is to seek first the kingdom and his righteousness....not the lust of other things. If we do this, and give ourselves to a life of diligence, then we will make our calling and election sure. Most importantly, we will not swerve from the truth, but remain rooted and grounded and settled in the faith! *
One of the stark warnings found within the teachings of the early church is something James taught. He said, "Know ye not that friendship with the world is enmity with God? Whosoever therefore will be a friend of the world is the enemy of God" (James 4:4). We are living in an age where the Christian initiative is being challenged unlike any other time. How deep are our roots? What is our role here on earth and where should our convictions lie? We owe it to ourselves to make sure our foundation is secure, and the drive that motivates us each and every day holds Christ's perspective and not the trend of the world.