The Great Commission and the American Dream
Tuesday, May 25, 2010
J.D. Greear offers some thought-provoking words on why it is difficult and rare for American believers to radically and sacrificially commit to the Great Commission. Here's his conclusion:
When Jesus has become your beauty (when knowing Him and pleasing Him has become your greatest delight) and when He has become your security (you know that He will take care of your future and all you need to do is obey Him today), then you will be free to follow Him wherever He tells you. You will no longer require nice things and creature comforts to enjoy life; you will no longer require huge sums of money in saving to feel secure. And as your heart is overwhelmed with the grace that God has shown you in the Gospel, you’ll find that there’s nothing you’d rather do with your money than help people find Jesus. That is what will give you the greatest pleasure, and that’s what you’ll consider to be the wisest and most secure investment.Read the whole article here.
Most people can’t follow Jesus because they are held captive by the American dream, and can’t free themselves of it until they disabuse themselves of the lies and idolatry it is built upon. When Jesus, not money, becomes your God, you will follow Jesus with abandon.
HT: Justin Taylor
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2 comments:
Wow. That is really thought provoking. Usually we like to think that we can have both the American dream and live our lives abandoned for Christ. But the American dream itself is built on self-worship and idolatry. That is diametrically opposed to God. It therefore follows that you can only seek after one or the other. No man can love two masters; he will either hate God and love his idolatrous American dream, or be devoted to God and despise idolatry (in whatever form it takes).
Although God might graciously bless you with the American dream if you seek him first, the American dream will never bless you with God if you seek it first.
Excellent final statement, Jer. That deserves to be framed and hung above every Christian's desk!
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