Beginnings: Not Everything New Is Good
Test all things; hold fast what is good.
1 Thessalonians 5:21 (NKJV)
The simple believes everything, but the prudent gives thought to his steps.
Proverbs 14:15 (ESV)
Certainly, not everything new is good. Modern entertainment brings that point home in an unprecedented abundance.
By invitation and fascination, countless new “gods” strut into countless homes.
They stake a claim on our eyes and desires.
They unpack dirty laundry in our souls.
They’re greedy houseguests who want everything.
Bad shows and bad ads sell bad ideas and bad merch by way of bad examples– all intriguingly disguised to look good. We're too entertained to see through the mess.
Actors, models, and talent for Christ:
Good shows with good words bring good ideas, AND JESUS… by way of good examples, all invitingly open and honest. This is your calling and Great Commission.
But what about modern mega churches and silver-tongued, prosperity shepherds? Certainly, not everything new is good.
Living just long enough to see the start of “put-on-a-show, serve-them-sweet-milk churches” was a plain-talk preacher, A.W. Tozer: *
'If I see aright, the cross of popular evangelicalism is not the Cross of the New Testament. It is, rather, a new bright ornament upon the bosom of a self-assured and carnal Christianity. The old Cross slew men, the new cross entertains them. The old Cross condemned; the new cross amuses. The old Cross destroyed confidence in the flesh; the new cross encourages it.'
The Lord, through Isaiah, puts it this way:
'These people come near to me with their mouth and honor me with their lips, but their hearts are far from me' (Isaiah 29:13). Our designer crosses convict us.
Actors, models, and talent for Christ:
You follow the ultimate Designer. The cross you wear is worse than meaningless… without the cross you carry on your back: your Commission to go into the world, disarm it with love, and lead lost sheep home.
Your appearance in modern media serves the devil an eviction notice. If 'The prince of the power of the air' (Ephesians 2:2). loses his deceiving, destructive hold, a new management system will follow: the indwelling of God's Holy Spirit.
How can this big mission be accomplished? First, remember: Jesus did the hard part. The ways we follow His lead are many, but consider two:
The rise of a new, spiritual church. Its robes aren't rich, but simple, cool, and clean. Its shepherds aren't slick, but wise, kind, and real. Its celebrities aren't many, but One.**
The rise of a new group of fishermen: 'Follow Me, and I will make you fishers of men' (Matthew 4:19). Your lines aren't fake, but amazingly real. Your roles aren’t leading, but supporting Christ.
Your catch isn't trapped, but offered new life!
Beginnings: Not Everything New Is Good (Part 5)
* A.W. Tozer: http://christian-quotes.ochristian.com/A.W.-Tozer-Quotes
** 'What the Church needs today is not more machinery or better, not new organizations or more and novel methods, but men whom the Holy Ghost can use men of prayer, men mighty in prayer. The Holy Ghost does not flow through methods, but through men. He does not come on machinery, but on men. He does not anoint plans, but men, men of prayer' (E.M. Bounds), http://christian-quotes.ochristian.com/christian-quotes_ochristian.cgi?find=Christian-quotes-by-E.M.+Bounds-on-Holy+Spirit
NOTE: God is my Ghostwriter. If what I write is good, it’s from God! We’re ALL called to be actors (action stars) for Jesus. We’re ALL called to models of Jesus, and we ALL have gifts, talents, and callings from God– to multiply them in the world for His glory.
P.S. NO DEVOTION, PREACHER, or SERMON… can begin to replace personal time in the Bible. I wholeheartedly and clear-headedly recommend READING THE BIBLE DAILY.
WARNING: Don’t focus on favorite verses, because out of context, they’re often misinterpreted. I plead with you to READ AT LEAST 1 BIBLE CHAPTER DAILY. How long does it take? An average of 5 to 10 minutes!