MANIPULATING OUR CHRISTIAN SERVICE
Victor M. Eskew

 

          The Christian has been redeemed by “the precious blood of Christ, as of a lamb without blemish and without spot” (1 Pet. 1:19).  Redemption is the most valuable thing any human being can receive.  The redeemed one is no longer owned by the evil one.  He is now owned by Jesus Christ (1 Cor. 6:19-20).  He is no longer lost in sin, but lives in hope of eternal life (Tit. 1:2).

          The fact that we have been bought with the blood of our Lord Jesus Christ should motivate us to be fully engaged in Christian service.  Worship (John 4:23-24), good works (Eph. 2:10), and bearing fruit (John 15:8) should fill our lives.  Choices between the flesh and spirit should be easy choices to make.  Choices between the world and our spiritual lives ought to be simple to make.  However, this is not always the case.  Instead of being fully given to our service to the Lord, we have a tendency to manipulate our Christian service in order for us to meet our much less significant, carnal needs.

          Some are glad that there are two worship services from which to choose.  If they miss one, they can attend the other.  A few will take part in a portion of one, then a portion of another.  Notice that there is not a commitment to be part of both services.  Why is that?  Are both services essential?  Are both services helpful?  Are both services directed to the same loving, powerful God?  Most would answer these questions in the affirmative, but they still choose to manipulate the services to benefit their lifestyle.  Worship becomes a matter of convenience instead of a matter of conviction. 

          On-line services have also enabled individuals to manipulate their Christian service.  Instead of attending worship or Bible class, they tells themselves:  “I will watch the service or Bible class later on-line.”  They usually do, but it is done while traveling.  Or, they watch while they are cleaning the house.  Or, perhaps, they watch while getting dressed for work.  They might even fast forward through some of the video but will still claim to have watched the service. 

          Another way some manipulate their Christian service is by participating in only the things that are of interest to them.  They are at parties, fellowship meals, and showers.  Door-knocking days, workdays, and special classes will never find them in attendance.  They treat the works of the church like a buffet.  They take what they like and leave the rest.  There are some who are more interested in the desserts than the solid food.

          Another interesting way some manipulate their Christian service is by participating only when they have a leadership role to play.  If they are to lead singing, they are present.  If they are to lead a prayer, they show up.  If they are scheduled to speak, they are available.  If they are down to wait on the Lord’s Table, they fulfill their duty.  However, if they are not scheduled, they most likely will not be present.  Their not being present is their normal behavior.  When they are called upon to lead, they are here, but it is the exception and not the rule.

          The wise man wrote:  “For as he thinketh in his heart, so is he…” (Prov. 23:7).  What is really in our hearts when we manipulate our Christian service to fit the enticements of the world?  Is our heart bent on faithfulness?  Is our heart intent on being the best Christian example we can be.  Is our heart actively seeking to please the Father in heaven. Is our heart displaying that we love God with all of our heart, soul, mind and strength?  Obedience from the heart is essential in serving our Lord.

          It was Paul who wrote these words:  “For to me to live is Christ…” (Phil. 1:21).  When Paul became a Christian, he put off the old man of sin and put on Christ (Rom. 6:3,4; Gal. 3:26-27).  Paul knew that he was supposed to pattern the entirety of his life after his Lord and Savior.  We, too, have been called to do the same.  A question that some need to ask is this:  “Did Jesus try to manipulate His service to His heavenly Father to meet his personal needs?”  The answer to this question is simple:  “No.”  Jesus always, always, sought to do the will of His Father in heaven.  “Jesus saith unto them, My meat is to do the will of him that sent me, and to finish his work” (John 4:34).  And again:  “…because I seek not mine own will, but the will of the Father which hath sent me” (John 5:30).  Dear readers, when we have spiritual decision we have to make, we should always ask:  “Lord, what wilt thou have me to do?”  A more focused question we could answer is this:  “Lord, in this situation, what would you do?”  Most of the time what the Lord would do is simple to determine.  Once we have that information, then we should follow in the footsteps of the Christ.

          Another consideration for those who manipulate their Christian services is found in Ecclesiastes 12:14.  “For God will bring every work into judgment, with every secret thing, whether it be good, or whether it be evil.”  When we stand before God in the judgment, He will judge both our works and our motives.  When Ananias and Sapphira lied about the amount of money they received on the sale of their land, Peter asked this question to Ananias:  “Why hath Satan filled thine heart to lie to the Holy Ghost, and to keep back a part of the price of the land?” (Acts 5:2).  Their actions began in their hearts.  Their motives were just as wicked as the actions they performed.  Sometimes, actions appear to be right, but the motives are corrupt.  Jesus confronted the religious leaders about this on several occasions during His ministry.  They gave alms and they prayed (Matt. 6:1-8).  These were noble behaviors to practice.  However, their motives were corrupt.  They wanted the glory of men (Matt. 6:2).  They desired to be seen of man (Matt. 6:5).  Jesus said:  “Verily I say unto you, they have their reward” (Matt. 6:2, 5).  The Lord knows exactly what is in the hearts of those who manipulate their Christian service in order to make their religion convenient.  In the Judgment, those motives will be manifested. 

          The word “manipulate” means “to manage skillfully.”  Dictionary.com continues the definition with these words:  “especially in an unfair manner.”  Here is an important question that needs to be answered:  “Do we honestly believe that God is a being who can be manipulated by man?”  Individuals manipulate their Christian service.  Usually this means that they devise ways to engage in less service than others.  Yet, they still desire for God to count them among the faithful on the last day.  They want to hear the words:  “Well done thou faithful servant,” when their service has not been as faithful as it should have been.  Think about some things.  God knows our heart.  God knows our capabilities.  God knows our motives.  God knows precisely what has been commanded.  God knows exactly what He expects of each of us.  With these things in mind, we can rest assured that we will never be able to manipulate God in the Judgment.