Master’s Likeliness

It is very easy to know the kind of school one attended, especially when particular behavior patterns are observed.

And it is not much different when we look at the schools of thought one subscribes to.

One clear thing I have observed is that a disciple copies his discipler in more ways than the Bible verses he memorises and kind of company he keeps.

They will take the mannerisms and preferences of their master. They will take his thought patterns. They will eventually become clones of their master, to use a term most of us understand, though for the most part it is used negatively.

Why do people who have been married for a long time look like they are from the same parents? They have spent so much time together that from their miniscule gestures they start resembling.

What am I driving at?

We will automatically resemble the master we spend our time with. We will resemble the master we are constantly in communication with.

Christ said that we will be known by our fruit. And that fruit will be consistent with the kind of master we represent.

I therefore want us to look at a few traits of the One we call Master and some of the traits we display that may be a clear demonstration that we probably are serving another master.

Jesus performed His miracles outside the limelight. A case in point is in John 5 where the one He healed had no idea who had healed him. Many times He ordered those He healed not to tell anyone else about the healing. He hid when publicity became too much, even rebuking those who were following Him concerning their motives for searching or pursuing Him.

Why do we see displays of miracles on TV? Why do we call people through advertisements to come to be healed? Why do we invite people so that we can pray for them?

On the other side we know that the devil simply loves visibility. He feeds on the star status. He loves those displays and the attention he derives from them.

Christ never shone any light on His performance and ministry. He was content to be called a copier of what His Father was doing. He always pointed to His Father whether He was arguing with His detractors or teaching or performing miracles.

Why do we see church billboards that must have the names, and even pictures of the ‘man of God’, some even with their spouse? Why must crusades indicate the performers in their invitations and advertisements? Why must we know the performers before we attend a ‘worship’ concert or event?

Christ said that He did not come to be served (though He is the King of kings and Lord of Lords) but to serve and give His life a ransom for us.

Why then are pastors and other ministers the focal point of the resources available in the church? Why are they among the most highly paid class of persons in society? Why do most churches seem to revolve around their pastors? Why is it a greater sin to offend a pastor than to offend Christ?

Christ said that He had no place to lay His head (though we know that He created all things).

How comes that pastors are amassing wealth from all fronts? Why is buying a pastor this or the other toy (car, house, scholarship, holiday trip) such a priority in churches? Why are those more pressing needs than fighting poverty in the congregation? Why is it a more pressing need than missions?

Could we be feeding off another master’s trough? Could we be in fellowship with another master? Could we be subject to another king? Could we be serving another Christ?

Let us examine ourselves. Like Paul admonished let us examine ourselves to see whether we are in the faith.

God bless you