The Big Lie

“For the time is coming when people will not endure sound teaching, but having itching ears they will accumulate for themselves teachers to suit their own passions, and will turn away from listening to the truth and wander off into myths.” 2 Timothy 4:3-4

There are a lot of lies out there, in and out of the church. Is there some fundamental, really big lie that is the cornerstone of lies? I think there is.

It’s all about what I do. I think this is the cornerstone lie. The big lie is that it’s all about what we do. Think about it. We admire or disdain others based on what they do. When things go wrong don’t we think we should have done more. When things go well, we pride ourselves on what we did to cause the good result. As we age we regret the things we didn’t do and the things we did. From the pulpits we are told what we should and shouldn’t be doing. It’s a hold over from the Law Era.

The truth is it’s all about whom we know. It’s all about relationship and not just any relationship. It’s about relationship with Jesus. God cares primarily not about what we do, but that we know His son. All truly good things flow from that. All that is evil comes from the non-existence of that relationship. All is filthy rags that doesn’t flow from relationship with Him.

All the other Lies Christians Believe flow from this fundamental deception. A recent article listed 5 Lies Christians Believe. Here they are and why I think they all flow back to the basic lie:

1. Church is not necessary. We think we can be lone ranger Christians because we think it’s about what we DO. If it’s about relationship, then relationship with other believers flows from our relationship with Him.

2. All Christians need to do is do good and be nice. The big lie keeps us focused on our actions. If we focus, on Him, “good” acts follow, but surprisingly often actions follow which aren’t just good, but they are radical, surprising and life changing. It’s not about being good and nice; it’s about being His.

3. God doesn’t care about your small things. Have you ever been in a truly wonderful relationship? Didn’t you care about every little thing in that person’s life? Can we expect any less from God? God wants to direct the route you take to church, the way you great your spouse, the hug you give your child. Joy and satisfaction is in the little things.

4. It’s all about leaders. The big lie makes us think that God works through “full-time” ministers. It’s what they Do. What we DO is so much less significant. When we change our focus to relationship, we learn He works through all who know Him, every day and in every way.

5. God wants us to be happy. This lie flows from thinking that it’s all about what we do. After all don’t we think happiness comes from DOING fun and happy things. Joy comes from doing the will of Him who loved us. We only know those things from knowing Him. Only from relationship with Him can we know that persecution, trial, and hard times can be what He wants for us and it’s where real joy lives.

Can you think of any lies that don’t flow from the big lie, that it’s all about what we do and not whom we know?

Agree with this, or better yet disagree? I love to speak to small groups about the things I post. I can talk to your entire church or small group, your breakfast or supper club (do we still have those?).  No charge of course, except the one I get out of doing it. However, if food is involved I will stay later. Email me, I dare you.