GLEANINGS — April 13, A.D. 2014                                                                                                           
Triumphalism Vs. Real Victory

Beloved Christian author and philosopher C.S. Lewis said, "There are two equal and opposite errors into which our race can fall about the devils. One is to disbelieve in their existence. The other is to believe, and to feel an excessive and unhealthy interest in them."

In a similar way, there are two equal and opposite errors we can make regarding the relationship of the church to this world:

The first is Triumphalism. This is the attitude or practices of an ecclesiastical body that seeks a position of power and dominance in the world – according to the world's ways. This was the mindset of some who witnessed Christ's miraculous feeding of the five thousand. They wanted to "take Him by force to make Him king." (John 6). It was probably the mindset of those disciples among whom arose a dispute over which would the greatest of them (Luke 22). The Master instructed them as follows: "The kings of the Gentiles exercise lordship over them, and those who exercise authority over them are called 'benefactors.' But not so among you; on the contrary, he who is greatest among you, let him be as the younger, and he who governs as he who serves." Which leads us to the other error....

That is the idea of a Servant Church: an ecclesiastical body whose avowed purpose is to serve the world. Indeed, among the followers of Him Who washed His disciples feet there is to be a spirit of humble servanthood. However, the church is not to serve the unbelieving world in the sense of ENABLING the world to continually blissfully on in its course of rebellion against the rightful King. The church presents to the world Jesus, the door to salvation...but it is not the world's doormat! For example, a Christian head of household might show hospitality by providing an overnight guest room for a lawfully married man and woman, but refuse to do the same for two people openly engaged in adultery or some other form of fornication.

When Jesus came to Jerusalem shortly before His passion, both triumph and servanthood were displayed, as the prophet foresaw in the Spirit:  "Rejoice greatly, O daughter of Zion! Shout, O daughter of Jerusalem! Behold, your King is coming to you; He is just and having salvation, lowly and riding on a donkey, a colt, the foal of a donkey." (Zechariah 9:9, cf. Matthew 21:5).

Here is a glimpse of the servanthood-triumph of the Messianic king which will reach its final glory when, "...comes the end, when He delivers the kingdom to God the Father, when He puts an end to all rule and all authority and power." (1 Corinthians 15:24). And here is a pattern for His servants who will share in His victory. "...as He is, so are we in this world." (1 John 4:17)

The One Christ served was His Father, not the world which benefitted from His service. He triumphed over the dark powers and principalities and over the world not by the sword but by His cross. True service to Christ blesses the world with Gospel blessings. "And this is the victory that has overcome the world, our faith." (1 John 5:4)