~Yoda~
There is a saying out there, and forgive me if I don't recognize the author. The saying goes that absolute power corrupts absolutely. I would tend to agree. This week Wayne Jacobsen chose to tackle this very subject in his weekly "God Journey" podcast. He ponders how those who achieve such power often start out with good intentions but in the end fail to have the "grace" to resist the influence of their new found power. Again I would agree...to a point. I have seen many a christian mega church pastor who undoubtedly began with good intentions but in the end were themselves consumed by that "dark side." Speaking for myself, I have on a few occasions fallen into that trap of power and influence when a promotion or possitive life event has come about. I'm sure I'm not alone in that respect either. So what is it within us that inevitably points us in the wrong direction when we are graced with power and/or influence? I say blessed because we need to realize without any doubt that our heavenly has allowed each and every opportunity we will ever face. What is Gods purpose for granting influence to someone? That is the question we should be asking of ourselves. What is Gods purpose for granting influence to a mega church pastor? What is His purpose for blessing a christian businessman with his power and influence in his community? Honestly, I don't think I know the answer to either of these questions. Perhaps it is our Lords desire to see just how we will handle that influence which He has given us. But, how would that bring glory to Him in the end? See, I believe that this may be the ultimate goal of our Lords blessing one with power and influence, that through him He might bless others. Yet, many are those who have failed in this endeavor. Does that make them wicked people? Definately not. However, it does make them the latest victim of the lie which satan has perpetrated on us from the begining. The lie that we as our Lords creation, can be independent from Him.
13Let no one say when he is tempted, “I am tempted by God”; for God cannot be tempted by evil, nor does He Himself tempt anyone. 14But each one is tempted when he is drawn away by his own desires and enticed. 15Then, when desire has conceived, it gives birth to sin; and sin, when it is full-grown, brings forth death. 16Do not be deceived, my beloved brethren. 17Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, and comes down from the Father of lights, with whom there is no variation or shadow of turning.
James 1: 13 - 17 NKJV
That independent self is not too difficult to recognize. It is there each and every time we place ourselves above our heavenly Father who created us. Each and every time we say to God "That's ok God, I got this." Yet each time we set about down the path to that independent self we are always reminded all too quickly of our mistake. Indeed, self help programs have never been too successful at curing those addictions which plague us. Believe me, I've tried more than a few. I used to become frustrated as I struggled to overcome a pornography addiction...on my own. There was never any amount of prayer, fasting, tithing or beating my chest in a Sunday service that moved me closer to removing myself from the addiction that plagued me. It wasn't until Dennis reminded me of a very important fact one day that I realized that there was nothing that I could do which would ever draw me closer to recovery. What he reminded me of that day was simple...how can I remove something from my life that I am dead to? Indeed, as the apostle Paul tells us in Romans 6, we are no longer slaves to sin {Romans 6:6}. So what does all of this have to do with the christian man who allows his power and influence to draw him into corruption. Simple, he has forgotten who he truly is in Christ {Galations 2:20}. Far from having the grace to resist corruption and use his power and influence for good, he only need realize that Christ Jesus Himself is living and working through him each day. Far from being a independent self, we are the vessels through which He makes Himself known.
6knowing this, that our old man was crucified with Him, that the body of sin might be adone away with, that we should no longer be slaves of sin. 7For he who has died has been freed from sin. 8Now if we died with Christ, we believe that we shall also live with Him, 9knowing that Christ, having been raised from the dead, dies no more. Death no longer has dominion over Him. 10For the death that He died, He died to sin once for all; but the life that He lives, He lives to God. 11Likewise you also, reckon yourselves to be dead indeed to sin, but alive to God in Christ Jesus our Lord.
Romans 6: 6 - 11 NKJV
~Scott~
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