Mirror Image Churches

Do you love what you see in the mirror?

Falling in love with oneself is called narcissism (nar-si-siz'em). It’s named after Narcissus, a hero in Greek mythology that fell in love with his own reflection.

You might think a church wouldn’t be like that. And it shouldn’t be. But it’s easy for churches to convince themselves they’re serving others while focusing on what they like.

Now hold it right there for just a minute. How can Christians be self-serving? Aren’t they supposed to love Jesus and love others? Of course. But it’s easy to get sidetracked.

It’s like this--once we become a child of God through faith in Christ, we’re a part of his family, the church. Christians join a local church to worship God, serve him and serve others.

Many Christians begin well but soon make church about them. It turns into what THEY like: THEIR traditions, THEIR music, THEIR Bible translation, and THEIR kind of preaching.

When some Christians see their church, they see a reflection of themselves. Like looking in a mirror. They can’t get enough. They’re self-absorbed. Narcissists. They love their church.

“Well what’s wrong with that? Doesn’t Jesus love the church?” Yes, he does.

Jesus loves the church so much he died on the cross to make it possible. Through his death our sins are forgiven. Then he cleanses us spiritually to make us part of his church.

The problem is with us. We’re not supposed to fall in love with our church to the point we think, “It’s all about us.” We’re supposed to love Jesus first and love others second.

Sadly, some Christians really believe church is all about them. They say, “Our church is the best one!” And they think, “Our church is the only one that’s right. The rest are all wrong!”

The Bible challenges that attitude with this question: “Did the Word of God originate with you? Or are you the only people it has reached?” Answer: Obviously not--so lighten up!

Instead of focusing on what WE like, we should ask what JESUS likes. The church is supposed to be HIS church anyway. It’s not our church. We should ask, “Is GOD pleased with our music, our worship, our hearts and our attitudes? Are we doing what HE wants us to do?

Our “brand” of church isn’t Jesus’ main concern. His heart is for lost, hurting people. Listen to what he said about himself: “The Son of Man came to seek and to save what was lost.”

Jesus left his Heaven and came to our earth so we could have a personal relationship with God. And he calls us to follow him. To leave our “heaven.” To go to a lost, hurting world and build relationships that introduce people to Jesus. To show others how much God loves them.

Do we, as Christians, prefer the comfort of our traditions to the challenge of reaching our culture with the gospel? Are we afraid to change our church so it’s more welcoming to others?

If you’re not a Christian, remember God loves you. Jesus came to show you God’s love. He came so you could be forgiven for your sins and live in the freedom of his love. Keep seeking God until you find him in Jesus! Then find a church that puts Jesus first.

Christian friend, let’s make church about Jesus again. Remember that Narcissus wasted away and died because he couldn’t stop admiring himself. There’s a lesson there. The church that focuses on itself fails to become all God wants us to be. And that church will die.

Are you willing to set aside what you prefer? To make church about what God wants? Because when the church is working right, it’s the hope of the world. And right now our world needs the hope we have in Christ more than ever.

Listen to the Bible; it’s great for your soul!