I like this contrast of the righteous versus the wicked made by Tim Keller:

“The righteous disadvantage themselves for the community. The wicked disadvantage the community for themselves.”

I found the basis for this thought on Ps 1 (I’ve finished the New Testament, and now I’m in the book of Psalms). It says that the righteous is like a tree planted by streams of water. It provides shades and fruit for those around. However, the wicked is like chaff that is absolutely useless for anyone else.

By this standard, I’d venture to say that most people in American churches are wicked! Most go to church (community), seeking to gain something from it, rather than offering something to it.

As a matter of fact, if you were to look for a new church, what would you look for? Do we not look for a church that will best serve our needs – good children’s program, good music, helpful sermons, friendship opportunities, people just like us, good coffee, etc?

What if we first looked to meet the needs of the community (church) at the expense of ourselves?

How can that change happen in us?

By being enthralled by the beauty of Jesus Christ. By being filled with the reality of Christ. In other words, by properly worshiping Christ for who He is.

The pattern of those in the New Testament who met Christ and recognized Him who He is was that they went on to serve those around them. (Samaritan woman, Zachaeus, all the disciples, Paul, etc)

Are you righteous or wicked? Do you use the community (church, school, Facebook, government, YMCA) for our benefit only or do we seek to benefit them?

Worship Jesus.

PH