The Big I in Christianity

Is Jesus really Lord of our lives? One wonders, because generally, much Christian activity today is self-centred.

We say: “How marvellous what God has done for me. Oh, the blessings. How wonderful that I’m heading for heaven. How fantastic for me.”

What we see now in some churches is similar to the concept used in advertising – getting people to focus on themselves. Generally speaking, today’s lyrics writers follow that same line.

Many of the songs at the weekend service have the recurring “me, I and us,” whereas the focus formerly was on God – “Him” and “You.” Remember the old hymn, “How Great Thou Art”? We need to forget ourselves, as the Apostle Paul did.

Today’s Big I is a far cry from the unselfish, care-about-others attitude of Christ. Unbalanced, get-bottoms-on-seats teaching focuses on self. “Follow Jesus for a better life; you’ll be happier, richer; give God a hundred, He’ll give you a thousand.”

When was the last time you heard a message on trial and tribulation (it’s in the Bible) from your local pastor?

What good is it to have 20,000 people sitting in a huge auditorium who will not take the slightest risk for Christ, and do little for Him? The numbers look good until you realize there are at least two million others outside that assembly who do not know Christ.

Christians are saved not to merely prosper and improve themselves spiritually and materially, but to be instruments in saving others. Anyone who hears the gospel, repents, trusts and obeys Christ, has salvation. However, millions haven’t heard an accurate salvation message, and haven’t responded. God cares about them. “The Lord is….. not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance.” (2 Peter 3:9)

The antidote for self-centredness for the Christian is to tell others about Christ. Jesus said do it, in Mark 16:15. [Incidentally, it was one of His last few remarks before ascending.]

Out of self-interest we seek to avoid pain and suffering at all costs, and the doctors eagerly help us to do it. Yet on the cross Jesus had no morphine or any other drug to sedate Him from the agony. He was nailed to that cross, maybe twelve feet off the ground, no doctors and nurses on hand to administer aid. In spite of the suffering, Jesus wasn’t thinking of Himself. His concern was for the Roman soldiers nearby who crucified Him, and where they would spend eternity. Jesus said: “Father, forgive them; for they know not what they do.” (Luke 23:34). They would still have had to repent, for repentance is the recurring theme of the New Testament.

Jesus bled to save us all – if we will repent and turn to Him.

Back at the church, Christians need to forget themselves. Are we going to keep up the Big I with our programs of self-centred activities - socials, barbecues, picnics, Ladies’ Dinners, Men’s Breakfasts etc? That isn’t what we read in the New Testament. Will we stay in a “holy huddle” inside the church? Will we continue to fiddle like Nero while the local “Rome” outside will eventually burn in the fires of hell?