1 JOHN 2:15-17 ESV
DO NOT LOVE THE WORLD OR THE THINGS IN THE WORLD. IF ANYONE LOVES THE WORLD, THE LOVE OF THE FATHER IS NOT IN HIM. FOR ALL THAT IS IN THE WORLD—THE DESIRES OF THE FLESH AND THE DESIRES OF THE EYES AND PRIDE IN POSSESSIONS—IS NOT FROM THE FATHER BUT IS FROM THE WORLD. AND THE WORLD IS PASSING AWAY ALONG WITH ITS DESIRES, BUT WHOEVER DOES THE WILL OF GOD ABIDES FOREVER.
I’m really starting to truly know that introducing people to Christ is completely different from “drawing” people to “the ministry”.Some people are so busy “drawing” themselves up so much that they look like the world and not Jesus.Do NOT misconstrue my words or intent. I have no problem with anyone living out their best life. You should enjoy the blessings of God.
But when I can’t tell the difference between a minister’s IG and Cardi B’s?
Jerusalem, we have a problem.I mean the fashionista post. The selfie post. The prerequisite restaurant/ food post. The laying on the bed chillin’ post. It was 14, FOURTEEN posts down on one person’s IG before I saw a “anything related to God” post. This was a (intentionally nameless) prominent Lady Minister and her posts had thousands, I mean THOUSANDS of likes.Again, don’t think I’m hating, because I’m not.I am CONCERNED.The narrative is out there. It’s being subliminally suggested and covertly taught. The message is supposed to be that you can look like and conform to an image, an ideal and still love God.That would be cool except…The image is not of Christ. It is of these various personalities, “kingdom superstars” and the world.The conformity is not rooted in the Word but in fashion, food, lifestyles, customs, social media, iconic statuses and status posts from and of the world.The statement by this new generation of ministers is intended to say “be you and love God” but the MESSAGE is coming from some of these people is across loud and clear: “You have to be cute, clever, well kept, cash heavy and customized like ME to be in close relationship with Christ”.
The narrative is out there. It’s being subliminally suggested and covertly taught. The message is supposed to be that you can look like and conform to an image, an ideal and still love God.
I can see why the fastest group departing the Christian faith in America is 25-40-year-old Black men and women.
THEY CAN’T KEEP UP!
You literally have to have a whole glam squad just to go to church nowadays. And that’s not just for the women.
I’ve seen it.
The constant selfies at church.
This need to “see and be seen” on the screen.
The hyped praise team that just stepped out the perfect TikTok video.
The pastor and his wife looking like they just arrived from the private heliport.
The entourage following closely behind, looking like well-manicured and coiffed clones of the leaders.
The stage set with the correct filters over the pan lights strobing the altar.
Everyone in the congregation is ready to spectate and speculate what’s the newest trend.
Whew. Jesus. Oh wait. My lashes might fall off if I cry…
This desire to fit into a community of believers causes some new converts to change their whole wardrobe, hairstyle and even speech to conform to the personality of the leader of whatever ministry they’re under.
Their budding faith is built on the personality and performance of that man or woman and not on the transformative and solid power of modeling a life after Jesus Christ.
After a while, when the leader’s performance begins to bore them OR they realize that all the primping and prepping is superficial and not substantive, they leave out as disenchantment and empty as when they came in.
I’m truly concerned about this disturbing trend in Christian-dom, where the emphasis is on more style than substance.
If I, a somewhat seasoned saint, can’t tell the difference between ministry and the world, how do we expect the lost to?
Romans 12:2 ESV
Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect.
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