Christian Discipline; or Why You are Not Doing Anything for God
Christian, God does not need you, nor does He need you to do anything for Him. This belief in a needy God is grossly deficient. It is simply a product of man-centered theology.
Man-centered theology elevates the role of man in relationship to God. It also works to subdue the Almighty. The anthropocentric Christian loves to talk about what he has done, is doing, or will do “for” God. He parades himself, telling others, “Be bold for Jesus!” Does he even have the right God? The right Jesus?
The root of this problem is an exiguous understanding of the indwelling Spirit of Christ (Jn 14:17; Rom 8:9, 11). Christ in the Christian soul is willing and doing His good pleasure (Gal 2:20; Phil 2:13). It is Christ who began His good work in you, and it is Christ who will finish His good work in you, Christian (Phil 1:6).
Instead of viewing the Christian life as one where God is the Potter (Jer 18; Rom 9), at work on His chosen object (clay pot), man-centered theology is ever trying to rally the clay pots to do something to help out the Potter. It has always been the work of the devil to convince clay pots that they too shall be potters (Gen 3:5). The Mormons do not hide their agenda of making men into gods of their own planets, as one example of many.
Most Christian-life book writers are nothing more than philosophers or psychologists. Their message is a self-centered, self-help agenda that includes Jesus as a beneficiary of you becoming a better person. Instead of writing or talking about Christ, they talk about your purpose and your life.
Christ-centered theologians never attract the mega following because their focus is on Christ, His Person and work. That has never been popular, even within the church. Christ is hated by those who do not have His Spirit in them (Jn 7:7; 15:18–19, 23–25; Rom 8:9). There are many who have been attracted to the church for diverse reasons. If the Holy Spirit is not the One guiding one to Christ’s body, then his or her being there is with wrong motives.
A man-centered music set, coupled with a man-centered message will have little or nothing to do with Jesus, unless, of course, He can help you become the person of your dreams. Those pretending to be Christians will love the worship and the teaching. The message is always going to be some form of, “God wants you to do something to improve yourself and your lot in life.”
Philosophers like Dallas Willard, Richard Foster, and J.P. Moreland have lots of work for you to do, but you will have to pay to hear them or to buy their books. Showmen like Steven Furtick, Todd White, Craig Groeschel, and Joel Osteen will entertain their psychology into you.
Almost everyone has a program for you to get disciplined and for them to get rich. Look at the homes they live in. Are they not mansions of glory? Look at their private jets. They will tell you not to be jealous or envious of them because you too shall be like them…if you come to their “lifestyle” universities and pay your tuition to support their lavish lifestyle. Some charlatans have taken over entire American cities like Redding, California. It is amazing what men can do without God while aspiring to be gods.
If you want to grow “your” church, then I commend these false teachers to you. They will sell you a ticket to spiritual superstardom (and then blame your lack of faith when you turn out to be a dud). If you want to shrink your congregation and the finances, then preach Christ and Him crucified. No one decreases ministries like Jesus (see John 6). Still, He builds His church (notice how Christ-centered that statement is in truth). It is His church, and He builds it (Mt 16:18). Bingo!
True Christian discipleship is an exclusive work of God’s Spirit employing God’s Word to sanctify those He has caused to be born again. Sanctification, which is the biblical and theological term for God making His people holy, as He is holy, is also another term for Christian life.
Agents of the devil will put you to work to please God. Messengers of God will point you to Christ and the rest that is found in Him, alone. This rest does not mean that God is not at work in the Christian. In other words, you will not find sloth and slumber as Christian qualities. So, what is the difference?
God is accomplishing what concerns you (Ps 57:2; 138:8), Christian, from His sovereign throne of grace in the heavens (Ps 115:6; 135:6). The works He has prepared beforehand for each clay pot, vessel of mercy is worked by Him for His own glory (Is 26:12; Rom 9:23; Eph 2:10). This is why the Christian never boasts in his or her own accomplishments. The Christian boast is in Jesus Christ, alone (Gal 6:14). Only He is worthy of all honor, praise, and glory. Only He does great things. You, Christian, are an unprofitable slave when you have done all you can in your own wisdom and power (Lk 17:10).
Christian, it is time to discard your participation trophies and the rhetoric that takes credit for you doing anything for Jesus or for God. For further information on how God glorifies Himself in and through you, pray in the Spirit for the Spirit to show you from God’s Word that it is all God and all of grace. Only He can teach you these things for they are the exclusive message of His Word. He will do it.
May God grant us a view to the truth of Christ in us, as the One who is conforming us, not we ourselves, by His Spirit (Rom 8:29; 15:16; 1 Thess 5:23; 2 Thess 2:13; 1 Pet 1:2). May we rest and revel as those who have been grafted in, added to Christ’s body of God’s children who bear witness of Him, not ourselves (Acts 1:8). May we never forget that we are what we are because it was His will, His work, and of course, for His glory.
David Norczyk
Spokane Valley, Washington
October 28, 2021
