Witness for the Truth

How many times have you heard it said by a ‘Christian’: “Oh, I would never say such a thing. I am far too modest to desire to be an exceptional Christian; a saint. I am content with being the very least; just as the Lord admonished us to be”?

Good heavens! I’m not sure if anyone could make a more audacious statement! And in the Lord’s name! This is infinitely worse than one who says: “I will become great and seek honor for myself. Who is the Lord, that I should obey him?” For in truth they both say the same thing, except one is openly honest with his purposes and the other deceives himself.

To be sure, the Lord was speaking of modesty in the pursuit of earthly honor and attaining riches. True, He speakes of this “being the least” in response to the disciples arguement over which of them would be the greatest. But the Lord responds in this manner; knowing that they are still thinking of glory and honor that is bestowed on one by seeking and attaining that praise which comes from the world. The Lord is concerned with the honor and praise that comes from the one and only God.

Somehow or another(we could go on speculating until the Lord returns) the entire idea of modesty and humility in Christianity has been completely reversed! The Lord’s intention was for us to be modest in our eagerness to win the approval of men and to subdue our desire for worldly treasures; but also to be bold and unshakably determined to be made holy and to bring glory and honor to the Father. Was this not the Lord’s way? He laid down His divine nature, and in humility showed us the way unto salvation; so that by and through Him we might be brought into unity with the Father and Himself, being assisted and directed by His most Holy Spirit. Did He not say of Himself,”I am the Way”? How could it have ever occured to a man to think that the opposite of what the Lord said, was true?

Let me show you just how beneficial(from man’s perspective) it would be if he was able to reverse the pattern revealed by the Lord Jesus; which indeed he has.

Having confused everything with the introduction of complex doctrines, those things that are suitable only for the mature, every person who sets foot in a church (or maybe even in the church’s gymnasium) is told he is a ‘priest’! And not only that, but a ‘priest’ that doesn’t even need to concern himself with holiness! And God forbid anyone entertain the notion that perhaps we’ve got it wrong! So instead, each one encourages the other to seek to be the greatest in this world and give no effort to acquire those things which receive their reward in the world to come.

“But as for me and my household, we will serve the Lord”