Perhaps it isn't a good thing to title a post with a quote from Monsters, Inc., but it pretty much summarizes my thought for this post. What is my thought, and how can it be derived from a children's movie? Glad you asked! Here it is: A Christian young person who doesn't have his (or her) focus on the Lord can distract other Christian young people who do have their focus on the Lord. This isn't some abstract idea that I've thought up in my own head, but something that I've struggled with personally in my life. (I am NOT going to point any fingers at anyone, and there will be no name-calling here! When you point a finger at someone, you have three pointing back at you, which is a good thing to remember. Plus, I've been taught that if you call someone a name, that you are that name first.)
So, there are these Nameless People at our local church who don't have their focus "on things above", but rather on things of this world. These folks talk about the latest movies, or the coolest music, or the most recent sports happenings, or even the latest church scuttlebutt (a word which here means gossip). Their focus isn't generally on things of God, and spiritual things are rarely discussed by this gathering.
Here's the first question: Should these young men & women offer public worship to the Lord? (I'm trying to speak in general here, but some examples would be ushering during service, singing in the choir, playing in the orchestra, 'performing' an offertory, etc.) Since they obviously aren't focused on spiritual matters, can they minister life to other believers? (Romans 8:6, "For to be carnally minded is death; but to be spiritually minded is life and peace. Because the carnal mind is enmity against God: for it is not subject to the law of God, neither indeed can be. So then they that are in the flesh cannot please God.")
Now, for the really hard question - can I judge these people? Am I allowed to condemn these brothers and sisters in Christ, because they don't worship with the right spirit? The Bible instructs us to be as wise as serpents and as gentle as doves; Jesus says to judge not, lest we ourselves are judged. John 7:24 adds another aspect, "Judge not according to the appearance, but judge righteous judgment." What should righteous judgement be in this situation? Where should the line be drawn? Should we even draw a line? Or is this a matter where our response varies with each situation? Can we join these people in their worship, or are they even worshipping God themselves? And if they're not worshipping, can we offer their 'wanna-be-worship' to the Lord as worship from our own hearts?
I've asked some interesting questions, and given no answers. This is something that I'm dealing with in my own heart right now, and I haven't reached many conclusions yet. (Although I suppose my focus shouldn't be on others, but that I should be worried about my own focus being on Christ. Which brings me to the Practical Application...)
(Practical application: I gotta live my life focused on Christ, so that I won't be a stumblingblock to others! Perhaps Satan wants to capitalize on my being focused on these other people, so that He can throw me off of my own spiritual walk with God. Another point - I am very grateful my friends who are living a focused life, and thus encouraging me to do the same! Keep it up, friends!)
Comment if you will. Your thoughts will be appreciated.
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7 comments:
Great title. :D Attention grabbing, but purposeful. Don't doubt it.
I suppose I haven't thought much about how distracting others can be. So far, my concern has mostly been how much I distract myself. Which is frustrating.
Daddy brought up Rom. 8:6 the other day at dinner. We were talking about how the only way to stop being carnally minded is to BE spiritually minded. There's no in between, because in order to get the worldly out, you really have to saturate yourself in spiritual things.
Good questions. There's wisdom in realizing that the biggest question is "Am I being this type of stumbling block to others?"
Yay for another post! :) It was worth the wait.
A topic that I've been meditating upon recently is that of obsession. I believe that God wants us to obsess over Christ. In Him we live and move, and have our being (Acts 17.28).
Thank you for your comments. Both of you reaffirmed that the question shouldn't be about the other people and their focus, but rather about my own attitude and focus. Stephen brought up the idea obsession, and Caiti brought up the principle of "either/or." It's hard to realize that there is no middle ground in the Christian's life! We're either doing the Will of God, or doing the will of the flesh. And it's not hard to obsess over the flesh, but obsessing over Christ is much harder.
Again, thank you for your comments. You've prompted me to think about this subject in a deeper way. This is definitely something I'll be meditating on in the days & weeks to come.
Wow...you sure opened up a huge can of worms...I kept reading to see the answers. You don't have them either! Ironically my newest post has a little something to do with this...in a roundabout way.
I would say that distractions like movies, sports, etc. are much better than gossip, which is something I have really noticed since moving here and joining CBC.
As for those people (basically everyone!) being in a ministry role. I have NO idea. But I do know that each of us does not have the focus we should. We all struggle with different things, and we all need to set our sights higher so to speak. I hadn't really given thought to whether or not the things I focused on in my life were edifying others, and helping them focus on Christ more. Thanks for the challenge!
It is amazing that Caitlin addressed the question in my own mind. "Am I being this type of stumbling block to others?" It is amazing how much Caitlin and I think alike.
And, admittedly, as her mother, I was tempted to wonder this question on her behalf. God is so good...as you can see, before I have to worry about my girls' hearts...God is already at work in them.
Paul, your comment definitely comes from the prophet gifting, but it is tempered with the love and grace God requires. I am thankful to God for His work in your life.
So, the focus should be on ourselves, our own motives, and our own heart attitude. Second Corinthians 5:9,10 touches this subject, "Wherefore we labour, that, whether present or absent, we may be accepted of him. (10) For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ; that every one may receive the things done in his body, according to that he hath done, whether it be good or bad."
We will be judged by what we do, not by what others do.
My (tough) question has been (somewhat) answered in a (very vague,) roundabout way.
Thank you each for your thoughts - keep your focus where it should be!
Hey Paul, This is Tiffany A. from church. I was just looking at your blog. I just got one myself. its http://victorywithhim.wordpress.com
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