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
What does it take to disrupt the good of a church?
You may have received a phone call or letter about a disruption in a church somewhere. Oftentimes, the problem involves someone’s wrong attitude toward truth, decisions, or 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 another Christian to increase his or her own standing with others? The ultimate consequences of a problem like this are discouragement, division, frustration, indifference, anger, and neglect. Christians leave, families 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 no right to seek power. There is 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 and lived the words: “The Son of man came not to be ministered unto, but to minister, and give his life a ransom for many” (Matthew 20.28).
If you look for power someplace other than in the blood of the Lamb, 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).
