Resources/Articles
Power That Disrupts Everything
The Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve,
and to give His life a ransom for many.
Matthew 20:28
You may have received a phone cal or letter about a disruption in a church somewhere. Oftentimes, the problem involves someone’s wrong attitude toward truth, decisions, and worldliness. A disgruntled Christian can destroy in a few weeks what it took a few years to build in the body of Christ.
What value is trying to gain power at the expense of someone else’s reputation? Why would someone tear down someone else to increase his/her own standing with others? The irony to this is those who are being torn down are doing God’s work, and the work of God is being torn down. The ultimate consequence with a problem like this is discouragement, division, frustration, indifference, anger, and neglect. Christians leave, the preacher and his family leave, elders resign, or hatred takes the place of love in the hearts of those who remain.
When it comes to serving Christ, we have not right to seek power. We have no calling for prestige. Popularity should not be the ultimate. We have no reason to look for self-recognition. How much better it would be to serve quietly. Jesus was not after a grand following. He had a following because of who he was and what he was willing to do. Jesus said it and lived the words, “The Son of Man came not to be ministered unto, but to minister, and to give His life a ransom for many” (Matthew 20:28).
Are you an elder? A teacher? A deacon? A preacher? A church member? If you look for power, you may get it, but it will become disrupting power. Power that hurts more than helps and divides more than unites. Remember, we lose the approval of God when we seek the applause of men (3 John 9-11).
