I've recently being challenged by some Christians...watching & listening. Why is it that the 'thing' some are following is people & not Jesus? Why do people build mini-kingdoms for themselves? Let's not kid ourselves...who are we impressing? Certainly not Jesus. In fact...I believe we are fooling ourselves & each other, masking the gospel truth, doing injustice to Jesus' sacrifice, when we seek to achieve and build things for our own gratification and image. I'm concerned for the Church, that when our eyes are not fully focused, we distract others and ourselves from the truth. Where should our focus be? On building God's kingdom, or our kingdom? Hunters or Shepherds? Come on...
As Christians, we have influence. So much potential God has implanted in us. Let's be real...we can easily abuse this. Some like to look powerful, be admired, idolised, even worshipped. When we do, we take the focus away from what is rightly Jesus' onto ourselves. We can also be so so destructive & destroy...relationships, faith, Christianity, hope, community, church.
Why on earth would people want to do this? Where's the love, humility, grace, community, church in all of that? Let's focus on building the Kingdom of God, and not our own kingdoms, building one another up, & not bringing others down. What mini-kingdoms distract you from doing God's real work....?
When you get to Heaven do you want Jesus to say "You've worked so hard. Nice kingdom you've built for yourself on earth." Or do you want Him to say "Everything you've done has been for me. You've worked hard to make my Kingdom come on earth." Your choice...earth or Heaven...
