Bella Vista Church of Christ
LIFELINES
July 24, 2002 Bobby Dockery
The Church of Me
"I want to talk about me!" insists a recent country song. For millions, that is more than a song-- it is a whole philosophy of life! It's the credo of their religion; the nursery of their personality; the driving force of their existence. This arrogant egoism permeates almost every area of modern life. Even much of what goes under the name of religion today panders to personal preference: What I like…What I want…My own felt needs.
The impact of this mentality can be readily seen:
1)
In Society. A pervading atmosphere of selfishness poisons many social relationships. Marriages disintegrate because husbands and wives are unwilling to alter their ego-centered demands. Friendships are sacrificed to the ruthless drive to enlarge self. The nation faces political chaos because every special interest is determined to bend policy its own way! How completely unlike the Christian concept of love which "does not insist on its own way!"
(1 Corinthians 13.5)
2)
In Morality. The "Church of Me" approach to life exalts the individual as the final authority in everything. There are no absolutes, and the individual is left to determine "what is right for himself." Ernest Hemingway summed up this approach to morality when he wrote: "What is moral is what you feel good after." The Bible insists, however, that morality has an absolute basis in the absolute holiness of God. (1 Peter 1.15) The folly of "me-based morality" is well summed up in the Biblical warning: "There is a way which seems right to a man; but its end is the way of death." (Proverbs 14.12)
3)
In Religion. Ours is an age when personal preference is allowed to trump Divine commandment. This is well illustrated by an ad which appeared for a new church in Santa Rosa, California, which proclaimed: "We are basically Protestant, but with a few minor differences. We love gay people… We also think it is alright to drink… and to smoke marijuana." Jesus rejected the "Church of Me" approach to religion when He said: "In vain do they worship me, teaching as doctrines the precepts of men." (Matthew 15.9)
The Bible warns that self makes a very inadequate God! Christ alone is deserving of our worship as "the King eternal, immortal, invisible, the only God." (1 Timothy 1.17) The litmus test of authentic Christianity is: "Father, not My will, but Yours be done." (Luke 22.42)
BOBBY DOCKERY
Fayetteville, Ark.
