Are We Asking the Wrong Questions? (Part 1)

On January 20, 1961, newly elected President John F. Kennedy made this statement in his inaugural address:  “And so, my fellow Americans:  ask not what your country can do for you – ask what you can do for your country.”   President Kennedy was challenging the American people to change the questions they were asking themselves.  Why? Because he knew that this would steer their thoughts in a more positive, productive direction.  It would shift their focus from something small and selfish (what can I get?) to something much larger and nobler (what can I give?).  And this shift would be reflected in their words and actions.

Might I suggest that it is about time the church in America today was challenged in a similar manner?  For far too long we have been asking ourselves the wrong questions, questions that are small and selfish, questions that have robbed us of power and influence and left us comfortable and acceptable in an ungodly culture.  And while such questions have allowed us to build big churches, I wonder, is that really the kind of church envisioned by Jesus? By Paul?

Matt. 16:18  “…on this rock I will build my church, and the gates of Hades will not overcome it.”

Rom. 12:2  “Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind.  Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is – His good, pleasing and perfect will.”

I would suggest….no, I would insist, that Christ has called His followers to something much bigger and nobler than many have been made aware of.  Notice that Paul’s challenge to the church to “not conform” is accompanied by the antidote to such a condition, the “renewing of your mind.”  Our thinking as Christians has got to be different from the culture we live in if we are going to be distinguishable from it in our words, actions, attitudes and motivations.  And part of thinking differently is asking the right questions.  Might I suggest some that would radically transform your life as a believer and the look of the church in America if they were to be asked (and, of course, answered honestly)?  I will borrow from Mr. Kennedy’s format in asking them:

            My fellow Christians, ask not “What can I get away with and still go to heaven?” – ask “What is the absolute best I can do for the One who gave His absolute best for me?”

It is discouraging to see so many who profess Christ being more concerned with what they can “get away with” than with what would be the best reflection of Him to their world.  Paul wrote in Colossians 3:2,3 “Set your minds on things above, not on earthly things.  For you died, and your life is now hidden with Christ in God.”  The problem with many who claim to be Christian is that they have not “died” to self.  Yet Jesus Himself stresses this as being the first criteria in following Him.  “If anyone would come after me, he must deny himself and take up his cross and follow me.”  (Matthew 16:24)  Until one has died to what they want (earthly things), they can never set their mind on what He wants (things above).  This produces shallow Christians at best whose main concern is “Will this send me to hell?” instead of “Will this bring heaven to others?”

Let me illustrate this problem in some practical ways:

The choices we make with our bodies, do they represent the absolute best stewardship of God’s creation?  Or is overeating, dressing immodestly, sporting holes and markings that God didn’t see fit to put there, etc. all about me, not about reflecting Him?

The way we spend our money, does it represent the absolute best stewardship of God’s resources?  Or are houses bigger than we need, big-screen high-def televisions, the latest clothing styles, failure to tithe, etc. all about me, not about reflecting Him?

The conversations we have with others, do they represent the absolute best stewardship of God’s gift of language?  Or is gossip, crude humor, cutting remarks, disrespecting authority figures, etc. all about me, not about reflecting Him?

As you can see, the list could go on and on.  We could talk about the way we use our time and energy, the treatment we give to those who are different from us, our performance on the job and a million other decisions we make daily.  The point is this - every moral choice we make (and this includes the vast majority of them), matters because each one reveals our heart and will either bring Christ into greater clarity for those around us or further cloud their view of Him. 

The evangelist D.L. Moody once said, “The world has yet to see what God can do with a man totally consecrated to Him.”  I’m pretty sure God is still searching for men and women who will say with Paul “…to me, to live is Christ.” (Philip. 1:21)  Not just in some areas or moments, but in every act and every decision every day!  It is not the easy road to walk, nor is it well-traveled.  But for the few who will venture to ask the right question – “What is the absolute best I can do for the One who gave His absolute best for me? – for the few who will dare to answer it  honestly and act on it courageously, there is the privilege of joining the great  faith heroes of the past whose radical passion for Christ “turned the world upside down!”  (Acts 17:6 – KJV)  The world is waiting….will you dare?

Clark Hausman
Clark is the pastor of Moyock Assembly of God.