Jacksonville is preparing elections for city council in March. Some of the names I didn’t know, so I always look up the people running to see their views on issues. I’m not one to vote for the R or the D behind the name. I vote for people, not political parties.
One of the people running is a man named Chad Evan McIntyre. Each person running was asked what they’d like to be remembered for if elected. Mr. McIntyre gave a similar pat answer that most do but went on to say, “This responsibility, this term in office, isn’t about me. It is about what is best for the City.” Shouldn’t this be how all City leaders feel?
And what’s even more important, shouldn’t Christians have a similar belief? Our faith should be about God, not us.
Too often Christians view themselves as being the important person in the church or in the city just because they attend a certain church. And usually, they do so not for God’s name, but for their own agenda. We forget what Jesus said in Matthew 7:21-23, “Not everyone who says to Me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ shall enter the kingdom of heaven, but he who does the will of My Father in heaven. Many will say to Me in that day, ‘Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in Your name, cast out demons in Your name, and done many wonders in Your name?’ And then I will declare to them, ‘I never knew you; depart from Me, you who practice lawlessness!” This should be one of the most important verses memorized in the Bible. It lets Christians know that a lot will not make it into Heaven because we’ve made it about us and not others.
________________________________
The Church is not an automobile showroom – a place to put ourselves on display so that others can admire our spirituality, capacity, or prosperity. It is more like a service center, where vehicles in need of repair come for maintenance and rehabilitation. – Dieter F. Uchtdorf, a German airline executive
________________________________
There are a lot of deep believers who attend church. Then there are those who do so to impress. They aren’t true Christians.
We as Christians should allow our faith to shine. We should let God be the star of our shows, not ourselves. If we do, when the time comes, we’ll be allowed into God’s open arms.
If you or someone you know is in need of prayer, please let me know, and I’ll be happy to pray for the situation.
