Jumping on Bandwagons

I have always had an aversion to jumping on bandwagons. Sometimes to a fault, because I think it's entirely possible that even if there was something I actually wanted to be a part of, I might not simply because I don't want to jump on any bandwagons. I think in the Christian world the word bandwagon may be synonymous with 'movement'. At least for the purpose of this posting it is.

There have been three movements/bandwagons that I'm aware of since I became a Christian in 1983. There have probably been more, but these are the three I was affected by, so they are the three I want to cover.

First, we got in on the tail end of the "Faith" movement. In a nutshell, this was a movement that believed if you didn't get what you wanted, it's because you lacked faith. Maybe there were some "sub-movements" incorporated into this....name it/claim it, healing, etc.... but they all could really come under the heading of the faith movement.

The second movement I was exposed to was the "Prophetic/Apostolic" movement. This was the movement that believed you should do whatever the Prophets and Apostles told you to because they were the ones with a direct line to God.

And the latest movement, at least from what I've been reading on the internet, is the "Grace" movement. This movement teaches that since everything was taken care of by Jesus on the cross, there's really nothing else we need to concern ourselves with. We can "coast" into eternity, if you will.

The jury is still out on what I think about Rick Warren. Sometimes I think he is really wise, and other times I think he's gotten a little too caught up in himself. Truth is, I can't really say because I don't know the man. But there was one thing he said on Twitter that I agree with wholeheartedly. He said that most heresy in the church results from focusing on one Bible truth to the exclusion of all the others. I think that is true of all the movements referenced above.

There are four things that I believe these movements have in common.

1. They are all TRUE. But as stated above, they are true to the exclusion of many other truths. We need to look at the whole package.

2. They focus on us instead of God. They are all essentially about what we get out of this thing, not how Holy and Magnificent He is. The Faith movement is obvious.....I can have whatever I want if only I can muster up enough faith. The Prophetic/Apostolic was a little more subtle. We convinced ourselves it was out of sheer love for God that we wanted to hear prophecies about how great we were going to be in the kingdom and what a difference we personally would make. And the Grace movement focuses on the fact that we don't have to do or be or strive for anything.

3. They all accuse you of being a second rate Christian if you don't join in. You are faithless if you don't join the faith movement. You don't really love God and probably aren't even really a Christian if you don't join the Prophetic/Apostolic movement. And you're legalistic if you don't join the Grace movement. They all have the same idea. If you don't join the group, you're a big FAIL.

4. They all take the focus off what is really important. And don't take my word for it.... take Jesus's word for it. What is really important? LOVING GOD AND LOVING EACH OTHER. Laying our lives down for the kingdom. Spurring others on, encouraging them. Living every day in total adoration for the one who created all things. If we are busy trying to get everyone to have more faith, to follow the latest prophecy, or to be sure they're not being legalistic, we are not exerting our energy giving praise to the One who deserves all praise. I want to spend my energy pouring my love out on Him and His people.

I believe God gives us revelation at the times we need it the most. What He is showing me right now is probably not the same thing He is showing you. But I guarantee, in His Kingdom it will all fit together beautifully. He shows each of us what He shows us for a reason....because it's the very thing He wants us to know. And I guess that's why I think there's just really no need for bandwagons.

I believe He has it under control.