Little Kingdoms

"You know the rulers of the Gentiles lord it over them, and their high officials exercise authority over them. Not so with you. Instead, whoever wants to become great among you must be your servant..." (Jesus).

There's nothing new about the lust for power. Man has been wrestling for leverage over his fellow man since our earliest days. It always puzzles me, though, when the faith of Christ becomes a religion to be lorded over men...when those who represent Jesus attempt coercion, control, or manipulation. I've seen it at work again recently among some people I care about, and I guess that's why it is in my thoughts.

There are those who would reduce the Kingdom of God to the four walls of the church building and insist that commitment to Christ must be demonstrated by an unquestioning loyalty to "God's man". These self-imposed princes rule their own little kingdoms, confusing their words for God's word, their power for God's power. They are little men ruling little kingdoms who really believe they have the right to always be right. These leaders get along with those who say "yes" and submit to them "as to the Lord" but will always conflict with those who practice their own conscience.

In many circles, there exists a murky margin between serving God and serving leaders. Many have been guilted into the surrender of their lives and wills to those who are "over them". Shame-based ministries lock their people in a dungeon of fear, and leaders who employ shaming or controlling or manipulative tactics do great harm to those who are under their care.

Thank God for Jesus and his living demonstration of love, humility, sacrifice, and service.

The Kingdom of God is bigger than these men. Those who "have an ear to hear" know that the Kingdom of God resembles in no way the lust for power that has plagued mankind. The Church has been at it's worst when it has ruled over the lives of men and the fate of nations. It has been at it's best when men and women follow in the footsteps of Jesus in love, grace, sacrifice, and mercy for a neighbor or a nation.

Each man and woman who has an ear to hear what Christ is saying to the church is free from the need to control other people's lives and is free to love and serve in the Spirit of Christ. They are free from worry over appearances and free to surrender the dynasty of power handed to them by the traditions and carnality of men. They are free to bring the life of Christ and free to reject any tactic that would enslave another human being.

They are free to be like Jesus who "did not come to be served, but to serve and give his life as a ransom for many" (Matthew 20:28).

I highly recommend a book to those of you who might have experienced the kind of spiritual abuse that is all too prevalent in the church. "Walking Out of Spiritual Abuse" was written by Marc Dupont and is a useful tool for those who are looking to be free from toxic relationships in the church. I thank God for those men in Christian leadership who clearly demonstrated the love of God to me through their lives of sacrifice and service. They heard.