In my 20 years of actively participating in churches, everything from “youth worker” at 18, to “youth pastor” at 20, to “worship leader”, to “missionary”… in all of those years and all of those places I’ve heard, and ashamedly said: “You ain’t Him” more times than I can count. It may be a bit cynical, but at this point in my faith I consider that to be famous last words. Here’s why:
There really is no orthodox question that God wants us to be “Christ-like”, and any reformation that claims otherwise would be amiss. However, within orthodoxy there is imagined and implemented a backdoor to this. That backdoor being that many reserve the right to decide exactly which of Christ’s traits one can demonstrate and other traits that are off-limits as they see fit. Ironically, this leads to them accusing others of not being “Christ-like” when those others are actually imitating Christ quite accurately. If/when an exhorter or prophet crosses this imaginary line they are accused, and if they answer the accusation with examples of Christ doing exactly what they’ve done they are reminded (as though they need to be) that they “Aren’t Him!”
My previous post mentioned the flattery of cons. That kind of flattery is more prevalent within churches than the Christ-likeness that we supposedly value so highly. In short flattery is patently NOT Christ-like. However, it’s forgivable and even desirable, especially among those that fancy themselves in authority over others. Since they are often the beneficiaries of such flattery. Am I the only one that finds unfounded flattery deceptive and downright offensive? I think not. It is right about now that I’d like to quote Paul, not as Christ Himself (since Paul also “ain’t Him”) but as a wise man that experienced first hand the primitive and frustrating process of exhorting other believers: “By smooth talk and flattery they deceive the minds of naive people.” Yet somehow those that should know better will imagine everyone but themselves, even those “cruel” and “belligerent” exhorters whose spiritual gifts have not only been deprecated, but ostracized. I haven’t known many exhorters or prophets that could be accused of being “smooth” talkers.
So back to “famous last words.” The major problem with playing the “You ain’t Jesus” card is that it frees the wielder to decide for themselves which of Christ’s traits another is allowed to demonstrate and which they are not. In fact, they’ve made themselves the ultimate authority instead of Christ and set out to make others in their own image and not Christ’s at all. They are making disciples of themselves, not of Christ. This is an impasse, especially when they believe they have authority over you. You have reached a “shake the dust off your feet” (Matt 10:14) moment. Lies and flattery, gossip, and manipulation are all tolerable, but don’t you dare imitate Jesus.
We’ve discussed this “keys to the kingdom” dynamic before as it relates to Bible interpretation. A fallacious but effective technique that deceives others, whether pre-meditated or accidental, this is destructive: “a time is coming when the one who kills you will think he’s serving God.” (John 16:2)
So dear exhorters and prophets, and generally Christ-like people, do not allow others to pull you down to their level by demanding you stroke their egos or worship their partial image of Christ. Non-believers require kid gloves but for other believers to condemn you exercising your man-hands toward them despite their claim of being spiritually superior to you is a sure sign that those who have maneuvered themselves into leadership are dangerously arrogant. Unless God shows you hope for those principalities and powers, and I mean God Himself and not some sudden change of posture meant only to flatter, then do shake the dust off your feet and move on. For every person you spend your time with there is usually someone else that you are not. So don’t be sentimental, just recognize that there is more fertile soil to be found.
Exhorters and prophets are somewhat doomed by human nature to come and go in waves as they wear out their welcome. It’s a natural process that has existed since Adam & Eve hid their nakedness from God Himself. Darkness hates light so: “Blessed are you when people insult you, persecute you and falsely say all kinds of evil against you because of me. Rejoice and be glad, because great is your reward in heaven, for in the same way they persecuted the prophets who were before you.”
Read this one too are you saying you’re a prophet? I thought Christian prophets were just in the bible. Man you’re going to have to stick with water. No beer for you!
Seriously man you sound as cracked as they do!