I think it speaks to a larger issue in Christianity that continues to go unchecked. Christians worshiping Christians. We see it with Chuck Smith from Calvary Chapel, Mark Driscoll from Mars Hill, John Piper and the list goes on ... endlessly. The problem cuts deep into all aspects of following Jesus. The inspiration and encouragement that is intended to be gained from these men of God is turned into a model for success and inspiration is turned into imitation. What ever happen to Jesus by His Spirit inspiring a new fresh work for a specific location, for a specific people, for a specific time. A move of the Holy Spirit that has Jesus fingerprints on it - where books and essays are written in His honor and His honor alone. Why all the copy catting?
Instead men are deified and large groups of people forget about the human element of their lives. All leaders are humans, sinners, living in a fallen world and are prone to all the same challenges and temptations of the rest of the planet. We should not be encouraging pride. We should not be accomplices to the seed planting of rebellion in anyones heart. Nameless and faceless servants of the Lord that understand that Jesus alone is our reward and that serving Him is the bonus and the only one needed. Lets reserve things like this to the dead saints and not put a stumbling block in front of the path of godly people. Don't you think that the target is large enough already on their backs?
I think it speaks also to our desire to be able to touch that which we believe in. When God uses a person mightily we seem to get a glimpse of the "life that now is and that which is to come". But Jesus tells us, "blessed are you who have not seen and yet believe." Hebrews 11 tells us that the essence of faith is "the evidence of things not seen". Peter follows up and commends those believers that are scattered about from trouble in their land about their love for Jesus "whom having not seen you love".
We would do well to focus all of our attention upon Jesus. "For in Him we live and breathe and have our being"- remember that in the book of Acts? But we still want to touch - to see with our own eyes. Very much like Thomas.
I Timothy 1:16-17 reminds us that the mercy that is received by men - especially those who are leaders - is to be seen as a pattern for those who will believe on the Lord Jesus Christ as their personal Lord and Savior. He ends with "Now to the King eternal, immortal, invisible, to God who alone is wise, be honor and glory forever and ever. Amen."
Lets reserve all honor to the One to whom it is due, Jesus Christ.
Instead men are deified and large groups of people forget about the human element of their lives. All leaders are humans, sinners, living in a fallen world and are prone to all the same challenges and temptations of the rest of the planet. We should not be encouraging pride. We should not be accomplices to the seed planting of rebellion in anyones heart. Nameless and faceless servants of the Lord that understand that Jesus alone is our reward and that serving Him is the bonus and the only one needed. Lets reserve things like this to the dead saints and not put a stumbling block in front of the path of godly people. Don't you think that the target is large enough already on their backs?
I think it speaks also to our desire to be able to touch that which we believe in. When God uses a person mightily we seem to get a glimpse of the "life that now is and that which is to come". But Jesus tells us, "blessed are you who have not seen and yet believe." Hebrews 11 tells us that the essence of faith is "the evidence of things not seen". Peter follows up and commends those believers that are scattered about from trouble in their land about their love for Jesus "whom having not seen you love".
We would do well to focus all of our attention upon Jesus. "For in Him we live and breathe and have our being"- remember that in the book of Acts? But we still want to touch - to see with our own eyes. Very much like Thomas.
I Timothy 1:16-17 reminds us that the mercy that is received by men - especially those who are leaders - is to be seen as a pattern for those who will believe on the Lord Jesus Christ as their personal Lord and Savior. He ends with "Now to the King eternal, immortal, invisible, to God who alone is wise, be honor and glory forever and ever. Amen."
Lets reserve all honor to the One to whom it is due, Jesus Christ.
