"Some of us pursue what is excellent, even in the spiritual arena, simply because we find it hard to do anything else. Our perfectionist natures are upset when there is inferior discipline, inferior preaching, inferior witness, inferior praying, inferior teaching. If we are concerned over these things because we sense in them a church that has sunk into contentment with lukewarmness and spiritual mediocrity, if we try to change these things because in our heart of hearts we are zealous for the glory of Christ and the good of his people, that is one thing; if on the other hand our concern over these matters is driven primarily by our own high, perfectionist standards, we will be less inclined to help, and more inclined to belittle. Our own service will become a source of secret pride, precisely because it is more competent than much of what we see around us. And sadly, much of this ostensible concern for quality may be nothing more than self-worship, the ugliest idolatry of them all... the ultimate test is the test of our motives."- D.A. Carson, A Call To Spiritual Formation
(HT: Pastor J.D.)
3 comments:
Carson makes a great point here. Why do we want to see our churches grow spiritually? Is it so that we have might more of what we prefer, selfishly, sinfully?
For example, do we want expository, verse-by-verse preaching in our churches because it is the form of preaching that *we* prefer, according to our spiritual "perfectionist standards" (convicting phrase, Dr. Carson! Ouch!), or do we want it because of a sincere conviction that such preaching generally, faithfully presents the whole counsel of God in His word to His people?
Are we just as happy with simple, sincere corporate prayers in our church services, or do we become "prayer critics" if every prayer doesn't sound as if it has leaped from the pages of "The Valley of Vision" (which I love)? Are we concerned primarily about our preferences, or about our and others' spiritual good and growth, all for the glory of God, ultimately? These are good, heart-searching questions to ponder.
A careful clarification-- I'm not saying that the content of church services (preaching, praying, singing, etc.) is a *neutral* matter at all. I firmly believe in the regulative principle of worship for public church services. The Bible tells us what things are to be in our worship services, in a general sense, and we neglect the Bible's teaching here to God's dishonor and to our spiritual poverty.
As Carson writes though, it's a matter of motives-- *why* do we want certain things in our services, and how quickly do we become critics if every little aspect doesn't meet our exacting standards (articulate prayers, unforgettable sermons, etc.)?
Great book, just about to finish it.
Post a Comment