Longing to serve God in the worst way.

We’ve all used, or heard others include the phrase, “in the worst way” numerous times in conversation. For example, “I need a vacation in the worst way”, or “I could use a drink  in the worst way”, etc.  It has always struck me as an odd combination of words.  If  I’m planning a trip, or fancy a libation, I’d sincerely hope it was going to be in the best way, not the worst!  But, somehow or another it has wormed its way into our language, and we use it without giving it much thought.  It got me thinking about Christianity and, ultimately, my life as a Christian. 

Over the centuries, the church set out to follow Christ, but sadly, often in the worst way.  The Inquisition and the Crusades come to mind immediately.  In what was intended as a noble attempt to uphold and defend the faith, Christians tortured, murdered and forcibly “persuaded” unbelievers into “salvation”.  Believe or Die!! How strange that the same heinous methods that had been used to persecute the early church,  now became acceptable to use on others.  If anyone had taken time to read the Bible, before setting out to win converts, it would have become very clear that Jesus never employed this system.

Although we don’t go about presenting the gospel in exactly that way any more, isn’t it true that the fear element is still in use?  “If you don’t join a church, or believe in God you’ll burn in Hell for eternity” is still used as a motivational tool.  Or perhaps you’ve noticed the intolerance that some Christians have for anyone living outside of their personal belief system. Instead of lovingly presenting a better way of life through Christ to them, they badger, belittle and in some cases attack the “offenders”. My guess is that these Christians probably say that they want to follow Jesus in the worst way, and they are succeeding.  

Jesus himself came face to face with many folks who lived apart from God, and correct me if I’m wrong, but I can’t recall a single time that he forced any one into the Kingdom.  If people weren’t drawn to the way of life that he lived, then that was their loss.  In fact Jesus told his apostles to shake the dust from their feet and move on, never to use force.  The life of Christ should speak for itself.  The church should still be adding believers not by the force, but by personally, lovingly representing Christ in such a delightful way that people are drawn in, not dragged.  

Think about it, do you long to serve Jesus in the “worst way”, or the Best, Christ-like Way? “ Beloved, let us love one another, for love is from God, and whoever loves has been born of God and knows God. 8Anyone who does not love does not know God, because God is love. 9In this the love of God was made manifest among us, that God sent his only Son into the world, so that we might live through him. 10In this is love, not that we have loved God but that he loved us and sent his Son to be the propitiation for our sins. 11Beloved, if God so loved us, we also ought to love one another. 12No one has ever seen God; if we love one another, God abides in us and his love is perfected in us.” 1 John 4:7-12