On Sunday, I tried to contrast the real, compelling story that is playing out in our universe with the cheap, me-centered story we tend to tell. These feel almost like two completely different stories to me.
So, did you agree, or disagree with my two-version-of-the-story theory?
If THIS isn’t the story we are really telling, how do you think our story devolved the way it has?
For a time is coming when people will no longer listen to sound and wholesome teaching. They will follow their own desires and will look for teachers who will tell them whatever their itching ears want to hear. 4 They will reject the truth and chase after myths.
2 Timothy 4:3-4 NLT
Can you see this prophetic word playing out today at all? How so?
I know this is typically associated with the church.. But when you think a little broader… About the truth in general… Have we as a nation rejected truth when it comes to things like: (please, please, please, please resist the urge to start up on where you may stand on any of these issues right now. This is really just a ‘yes’ or ‘no’ question.)
- The pandemic
- Riots and unrest
- Election results
- The definition of marriage
- Gender issues
Here is the thing about that… I think everybody on ALL sides of these issues would dig in hard and insist that THEIR view is the “true” view, and that everyone else is a denier. Masks/no masks.. democrat/republican.. gay/straight.. It isn’t that we have simply rejected the definition of marriage, for example… We have, as Paul predicted, rejected the truth.
We definitely do see this in the church, don’t we? We have quit telling the compelling story, and have settled for the cheap, me-centered version.
This is most obviously apparent in the prosperity theology, where the story completely centers around you. I watched a baptism service on Youtube recently where a BUNCH of people were baptized, and ALL of the baptism testimonies started out with one key, telling phrase: “I want…”
I saw a lot of people being baptized because they wanted something from God… Healing, a miracle, a blessing of some sort. One guy even said he was being baptized because he wanted a gold tooth!
This is the opposite of what baptism is about. Being a Christian isn’t about what you can get, it is about responding to Christ, and what He has done for you on the cross. It is never supposed to be about what “I want…” It is only supposed to be about what HE wants. It is about denying self, taking up a cross, and following. (Matthew 16:24, Mark 8:34, Luke 9:23)
We, the church, have sadly rejected the truth and are telling a cheap, me-centered story.
I am shocked that you are turning away so soon from God, who called you to himself through the loving mercy of Christ. You are following a different way that pretends to be the Good News 7 but is not the Good News at all. You are being fooled by those who deliberately twist the truth concerning Christ.
Galatians 1:6-9 NLT
8 Let God’s curse fall on anyone, including us or even an angel from heaven, who preaches a different kind of Good News than the one we preached to you. 9 I say again what we have said before: If anyone preaches any other Good News than the one you welcomed, let that person be cursed.
Dang. These are hard words for me… Because I have times where I would sure like to preach the cheap, me-centered version. It frankly draws a bigger crowd. It sells books. It makes you popular. And it sure is easier to preach, and to hear.
How careful should we be in the teaching we consume?
What are the clear implications for us if we are in on the false, cheap-story teaching?
So, what are we to do? Paul continues to urge young pastor Timothy in how to deal with this truth rejection, and it is good advice to us storytellers as well…
But you should keep a clear mind in every situation. Don’t be afraid of suffering for the Lord. Work at telling others the Good News, and fully carry out the ministry God has given you.
2 Timmothy 4:5 NLT
So, what is our responsibility?
Why don’t we “work at telling others,” as Paul prescribes?
God has now revealed to us his mysterious will regarding Christ—which is to fulfill his own good plan. 10 And this is the plan: At the right time he will bring everything together under the authority of Christ—everything in heaven and on earth. 11 Furthermore, because we are united with Christ, we have received an inheritance from God, for he chose us in advance, and he makes everything work out according to his plan.
Ephesians 1:9-11 NLT
Now, that is the good news, right?