The American Church, Part 3

This is the continuation of a devotional series titled, “The American Church.” Click here to review last week’s spiritual reflections with John Maisel.

Last week, we discussed how Christ followers are called to continue our Savior’s ministry of setting the captives free, and I challenged you to answer three questions to discover how well you’re living for this work.

1. Am I living for the fame of earth or the fame of heaven?
2. Am I living for the immediate or the eternal?
3. When I am all by myself dreaming, what am I thinking about—God’s agenda or my agenda?

Not too long ago, I read the Medal of Honor citation given to Lieutenant Murphy. He was stationed in Afghanistan with the United States Navy and his citation said:

"Lieutenant Murphy, in his final act of bravery, continued to engage the enemy until he was mortally wounded, gallantly giving his life for his country and for the cause of freedom. His selfless leadership, courageous actions, extraordinary devotion to duty, reflected in great credit upon himself as he upheld the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service."

Oh, if these words could be said about the American Church!

"Lieutenant Murphy continued to engage the enemy, ultimately giving his life for a greater cause." That’s what the church in our nation must be willing to do. And this starts with our daily choices.

We must choose to live in a way that totally pleases God instead of our peers. We must chase after His applause, not the applause of man. We must place God’s agenda above our own.

Viktor Frankl—a Nazi prison camp survivor—wrote, “Man only finds true meaning to the extent that they give themselves to something beyond themselves and to a cause greater than themselves.”

Spreading the work of Jesus for the salvation of the world is the greater cause that gives every Christian true meaning. He came to set the captives free and has entrusted us with this same work until He returns.

No matter what we do, we must engage the enemy and give our lives for the cause of Christ.

Christian mothers are to mother for the cause of Christ. Christian doctors are to doctor for the cause of Christ. Christian teachers are to teach for the cause of Christ. Christian businessmen are to do business for the cause of Christ.

All of our lives are to embrace Jesus as “the reason why” we do what we do. And that looks likes sacrificing the things of this world for the things of eternity.

“Then he said to them all: ‘Whoever wants to be my disciple must deny themselves and take up their cross daily and follow me (Luke 9:23)."

The cause of Christ requires much personal sacrifice, and if the American Church rises up to engage the enemy, I’m confident that these words will flow from our Fathers lips: "Well done, good and faithful servant (Matthew 25:21)."

Brothers and sisters, will you pursue this reward today?