Beware THIS Kind of Christianity!
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Beloved, I am seeing a trend in the Body of Christ that I cannot like, for it is completely unbiblical. And I am writing today to warn you about it. That trend is mercenary Christianity, and it will rob you of your intimacy with Christ–and possibly of your very soul.
What does “mercenary” mean?
A mercenary is a soldier for hire–someone who fights only for pay. In other words, a mercenary is a soldier who doesn’t care about the cause, the kingdom, or the nation they are fighting for; they only participate in the battle for what they can get out of it.
So, what is mercenary Christianity?
“Mercenary Christianity” is the term I am using to describe when a person only participates in Christianity for what they can get out of it. For example, if you are a mercenary Christian, then:
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- You only pray when you need something;
- You only read your Bible when you’re desperate for encouragement from the Lord;
- You only seek God to relieve your fear of going to hell.
Since I’ve gone to meddling, we might as well take it deeper. If you’re a mercenary Christian, then the following situations could also apply:
- Perhaps you only give when people see you give (to get attention).
- Or, perhaps you only give when people invite you to give, and you feel too guilty not to. (In other words, you give to assuage your guilt, but not necessarily to worship God through your giving.)
- Perhaps you only worship God when you “feel” like it–usually when He has done something big for you, or when you “feel” His manifest glory in corporate worship.
- You only study the Bible if it’s fun (like in church or a small group), but not alone with Him as an act of worship.
I started noticing this trend really strongly when I began hosting virtual book signing events, and those events are a good thing. We receive so many testimonies of how the Lord has impacted people as a result of those events, and the personal ministry we are able to do because of them.
But, what I noticed in particular–another thing that has me thinking about mercenary Christianity–is that, somehow along the way, many people seem to have developed the mindset that they won’t purchase a resource to help them study and get closer to God unless they get a prophetic word out of their purchase. Hmmm.
So that makes me wonder, “Are you purchasing a resource because you want to study and show yourself approved? Or are you purchasing a resource only because you want a prophetic word, and the resource is languishing on the shelf?”
Hey, don’t get me wrong. I’m thrilled to minister to people in these events, and I’m grateful for every person’s participation.
Also, the resources people purchase will be a blessing to people every time … if they use that resource.
The same way your Bible will be a blessing to you, every hour of every day … if you read it.
The same way a prayer habit will build your life and bring you sure reward and intimacy with Jesus … if you build a prayer habit.
The same way giving will produce increase in your life … if you give.
But I invite us all to examine our motives today.
This is something we all need to do periodically in order to stay true to our first love for Jesus. It’s so easy to get derailed from pure motives; from clean hands and a pure heart; from total and pure and passionate pursuit of Jesus.
So, beloved, I challenge you to ask yourself right now:
- Are you getting up early and seeking Jesus for the joy of knowing Jesus? Or do you only seek Him because you’re desperate for His help?
- Do you love Him because He is altogether lovely? Or do you love Him only when He gives you big answers to prayer?
- Do you pray because you can’t wait to commune with Him in the secret place? Or do you only pray to get the stuff you need–whether that “stuff” is money, strength, courage, hope, help, etc.?
- Do you seek Him for His face, or only for His hand?
And if you are not, are you really serious about Jesus? Or are you only telling yourself that He is your Lord, but actually giving Him no place of real Lordship in your life?
(This is why I say that mercenary Christianity could cost you your very soul, for giving Christ lip service may allow you to pretend that you are saved–but real salvation is only possible when you make Christ the true Lord, Boss, and Master of your life.)
Beloved, our Jesus is WORTHY to be worshipped and adored, no matter what is going on in our lives.
He deserves to be sought after with all our hearts, even if we didn’t get anything out of the seeking. He shed His blood for you and for me while we were yet sinners. He is holy, enthroned on the praises of Israel. And He is worthy of all of our devotion.
But are we seeking Him for the right reasons?
Or are we only seeking Him to get something material out of Him?
O beloved, I urge you today to come back to your first love if mercenary Christianity has crept in:
- Get up in the morning and seek Him first because He is worthy of first priority in your life.
- Pray because you can’t wait to talk with Him, and to hear what He has to say in return.
- Read your Bible because you are desperate to know Him better, to hear His voice, to know what pleases and displeases Him, and to become like Him.
- Purchase Christian resources and books and study materials because you genuinely want to study to show yourself approved unto God, a workman who needs not be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.
- Give and give and give because God owns everything, and we own nothing, and we are only stewards of what belongs to Him already, and because we want to worship Him with our giving.
- Be kind and do good to the poor–not because you must, or out of guilt; but because “He has dispersed abroad, He has given to the poor, His righteousness endures forever …” (Psalm 112:9); and because you want to be LIKE Him; and because you want to WORSHIP Him with your generous and sacrificial giving unto Him.
O beloved. Your love cannot be for hire.
Your pursuit of God cannot be a paid pursuit. Your love for Him cannot be something He must purchase with blessing. He already blessed each and every one of us by shedding His precious blood. What can we ever give Him that will be enough in return?
The fact is, we can give Him nothing that is worthy and deserving of the offering He has given us. All we can do is love Him, seek Him, and dedicate ourselves to Him with all our hearts, with all our love, and with all our devotion.
And we must do it because He is worthy, and because we are WORSHIPPING Him–not because we can get anything else out of it except for HIM.
Is Holy Spirit gripping your heart about this today? If so, leave a comment below–and stop and do business with God, who deserves to be loved with our whole heart, mind, soul, and strength–and not our mercenary Christianity.
Good word , I’m doing best I can since being on chemo it takes a toll on my strength but the devil is a liar I willl knock seek ask thank you Jamie
I will br praying for you.
Thank you for this word. Evaluating my soul. I do love the Lord but am I devoted as required. Blessings.
Keep asking and you will receive! Keep seeking and you will find! Keep knocking and the door will be opened! To ALL JESUS has for you! Healing, deliverance, and renewed strength!
Love you sis!
Yes, great word!
Not Avery popular place for reply’s to this message. hmmm
I notice it’s a give me give me Christianity these days. Still prosperity oriented. Sad.
Amen Jamie, you’ve hit the nail on the head again! Of course, nothing is new under the sun; Jesus called out the mercenaries, also:
“Many will say to Me on that day [when I judge them], ‘Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in Your name, and driven out demons in Your name, and done many miracles in Your name?’ And then I will declare to them publicly, ‘I never knew you; depart from Me [you are banished from My presence], you who act wickedly [disregarding My commands].’”
I guess this reinforces the fact that we need to regularly check in on ourselves- only the Holy Spirit can fully reveal our own hearts to us. I was feeling confused about the difference between when we do those things (praying, worshipping, giving) in a mercenary way, and when we do them out of persevering in doing good even when our emotions are not lining up with us doing them- only Jesus can discern our true motives, and we then need the Holy Spirit to help us line our emotions, souls & spirits in line with the Word. We need to keep praying God will show us to ourselves!
Amen
My promise is to get better at spending quality time with you Father and getting to know you better daily. Forgive me for all the times that I missed opportunities to seek your family and get better acquainted with you My Lord. I know better and now I’m going to do better. Thank you.