Articles
Power That Disrupts Everything
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.”
What does it take to disrupt the good work of a local church? The answers vary and the list could cover the length of this page.
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. Brethren and the community at large potentially know about such a disruption.
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/her own standing with others? The ultimate consequence with a problem like this is discouragement, division, frustration, indifference, anger, and neglect. Christians leave, families leave, elders resign, or hatred takes the place of love in the heart of those who remain. As an example, read 3 John 9-12 and consider how the “power-play” of Diotrephes might have disrupted the church and its future impact for good.
When it comes to serving Christ, we have no right to seek power. We seek His power and authority, not our own (Matthew 28:19). 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 to give his life a ransom for many” (Matthew 20:28).
If you look for power other than in the blood of the Lamb, you may get it, but it will become disrupting power, not saving power. Power hurting more than helping and divides more than unites. Remember, we lose the approval of God when we seek the applause of men (3 John 9-12).
