THE FLIP SIDE

Recently, I had the privilege to preach at a beautiful country church in Poetry, TX. I preached from John 13 on Christ’s example of selfless love. In a couple weeks, I’ll be preaching there again. When I do, it’ll be on the flip side - selfish ambition.

Responsibility is a difficult thing for us to accept. Deferring blame is an old tune. In fact, it dates back to Eden. The man neglected his priestly duty to minister to and care for his wife. That’s why Scripture states, “sin entered the world through one man…” When God asked him, “Have you eaten of the tree of which I commanded you not to eat?” Adam’s knee-jerk response was, “The woman whom you gave to be with me, she gave me fruit of the tree, and I ate.” Adam was a coward, and, truth be told, so are the people who posture and criticize Christianity - hiding behind the actions of others. I was one before the gift of faith. That’s the state which we all enter into this world.

But as for the cowardly, the faithless, the detestable, as for murderers, the sexually immoral, sorcerers, idolaters, and all liars, their portion will be in the lake that burns with fire and sulfur, which is the second death.

-Revelation 21:8

Over the years I’ve had numerous conversations with non-Christians regarding their resistance to the Gospel. In virtually every case, opposition had nothing to do with the Gospel. Instead, it was rooted in their perception of “hypocritical” actions by neighbors, churchgoers, televangelists, priests, pastors, deacons, and the like.

At which point, I begin asking probing questions like, “What if ‘those people’ aren’t really Christians?” … “What if they’re just posers and imposters?” … “Why would you allow people, whom you’ve deemed ‘hypocrites,’ hinder your relationship with God?” … “Why would you base your eternity on the actions of someone else rather than objective truth?” … “What about people like Dietrich Bonhoeffer?”

Those questions are typically met with a blank stare and/or some form of stammering. Personal responsibility is a real bugger.

It is better to take shelter in the LORD than to trust in people.

-Psalm 118:8

We live in a world where deferring responsibility has not only become acceptable but a thriving art form. Nations, races, colors, and neighbors - all readily passing the buck of responsibility and few stepping up to take any. There are fewer still who aren’t motivated by selfish ambition.

We are a world of modern mercenaries bereft of loyalty, scruples, ethics, and morality. “Get ahead at any cost” is the new American way. Today we live by the philosophy: “If you’re dumb enough to get caught then you deserve what you get…” until we get caught and reality is on our doorstep.

It’s always someone else’s fault you got fired… didn’t graduate… got there late… didn’t pass… missed the payment… had the baby out of wedlock… Yep, personal responsibility is a real bugger.

Different skin colors blame each other for drugs, oppression, misfortune, poverty, and crime because “different” is an easy target for cowards.

Rather than investing in our children, rather than ministering to and watching over them, rather than disciplining them, rather than raising them up to be productive and responsible members of society - we sabotage and undermine overworked and underpaid teachers, thereby driving the sins of blame and entitlement deep within.

Citizens blame governments. Athletes blame America. Owners blame players. Fans blame the media. Meanwhile, the Thief who comes to steal, kill, and destroy, peers on from the comfort of a poolside lounge chair - with a smirk - casually sipping a tropical beverage garnished with a little umbrella.

Whoever spares the rod hates their children, but the one who loves their children is careful to discipline them.

Proverbs 13:24

The rod represents authority in biblical literature. The Bible doesn’t endorse senseless brutality upon children. Sparing children lessons in authority and consequences is the most brutal form of neglect. Discipline (not abuse) requires patient long-term investment; it’s an enduring expression of love. It’s what the Bible refers to as long-suffering.

Our heavenly Father was sure to lay out the boundaries and consequences of His sovereign authority for Adam. Psychobabble about letting kids find their own way without discipline and structure is the epitome of rebellion. It requires no true time or investment.

It’s the manifestation of apathy. Those are the kids who grow up with no sense of altruism, no sense of community, no comprehension of unity, teamwork, kindness or authentic love. They grow up to populate our prisons. They are the parasites demanding handouts - inventing ways to exploit and manipulate. They know nothing but narcissistic, egotistical, selfish ambition because that’s the air they breathe.

Now the works of the flesh are evident: sexual immorality, impurity, sensuality, idolatry, sorcery, enmity, strife, jealousy, fits of anger, selfish ambition, dissensions, divisions, envy, drunkenness, orgies, and things like these. I warn you, as I warned you before, that those who embrace such things will not inherit the kingdom of God.

Galatians 5:19-20

The cure for this universal death sentence? The eternal person - Jesus Christ. Not your neighbor. Not Jerry Falwell, Jim Baker, T.D. Jakes, Joel Osteen, T.B. Joshua, or your local preacher. Not a religion, a ceremony, a sacred building or artifact, or some mystical tradition or ritual. Not the crimes committed in His name. Not the hypocrisy of those posing or pursuing - just Him - The Son of God revealed on every page of inspired Scripture. The Second Person of the Holy Trinity who came, lived, suffered, died, rose, ascended, and promised to return under the authority of the Father and by the power of the Holy Spirit. The One who said:

Very truly I tell you, whoever hears my word and believes him who sent me has eternal life and will not be judged but has crossed over from death to life.

-John 5:24

The flip side of selfless love is selfish ambition. So what drives you? Is it the privilege to participate in the advancement of Christ’s kingdom through the proclamation of the Gospel to the ends of the earth? Every other cowardly, faithless response falls under the category of “selfish ambition.” Yep, personal responsibility is a REAL bugger.

Blessings,

-Kevin M. Kelley

aMostUnlikelyDisciple.com