Curing The Me-sels

UNSHAKEABLE: What is worse that the measles? How about the me-sels. The me-sels get particularly nasty when it infects churches. You know there is an outbreak when you start hearing, “you’re sitting in my seat…the sermons don’t feed me…that music isn’t for me…that doesn’t make me comfortable…they’re asking too much of me.” Unfortunately, a lot of churches these days really cater to that “me” mindset. If I were you and found myself in a church that doesn’t want to acknowledge or address this spreading outbreak of me-sels, and in fact, actually contributes to it, I would find a new church in a heartbeat. Get into a fellowship and under anointed leadership that doesn’t shy away from dethroning you and enthroning the One who rightly deserves your worship and service. Get into a church that demands God first, others second, and you a distant third.

Unshakeable Living // Romans 15:1-2

We who are strong ought to bear with the failings of the weak and not to please ourselves. Each of us should please his neighbor for his good, to build him up.

It’s the worst disease of all. I call it the me-sels, and it has been going around since the beginning of time. It is pandemic, it is virulent, and it is resistant to all but one drug — dethroning.

You know what I am talking about … me-sels? “It’s all about me…my needs, my desires, my comfort, my happiness… me…me…me!” The me-sels puts me at the center (a horrible place to be, by the way), God at the periphery (the most subtle but devastating sin of all), and everybody else on the outside (no truer violation of the spirit of Christ).

Me-sels gets particularly nasty when it infects churches. You know there is an outbreak when you start hearing, “you’re sitting in my seat…the sermons don’t feed me…that music isn’t for me…that doesn’t make me comfortable…they’re asking too much of me.” Unfortunately, a lot of churches these days really cater to that “me” mindset. If I were you and found myself in a church that doesn’t want to acknowledge or address this spreading outbreak of me-sels, and in fact, actually contributes to it, I would find a new church in a heartbeat. Get into a fellowship and under anointed leadership that doesn’t shy away from dethroning you and enthroning the One who rightly deserves your worship and service. Get into a church that demands God first, others second, and you a distant third.

Dethroning can be painful, but there’s nothing like getting your me-sels cleared up!

You see, when believers get cured from this nasty infection, the heath that comes to the body of Christ is nothing less than spectacular — and even that’s an understatement. When you get rid of the me-sels, corporate encouragement will flourish and biblical hope will grow.

And the Scriptures give us hope and encouragement as we wait patiently for God’s promises to be fulfilled. (Rom 15:4)

Moreover, the church will experiences unity and God will receive the glory that he is due.

May God, who gives this patience and encouragement, help you live in complete harmony with each other, as is fitting for followers of Christ Jesus. Then all of you can join together with one voice, giving praise and glory to God, the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ. (Rom 15:5-6)

Suddenly, people will find your church a place where they can experience transforming love and find heart-healing acceptance.

Therefore, accept each other just as Christ has accepted you so that God will be given glory. (Rom 15:7)

Not only that, but the unbelievers in your community will be irresistibly drawn to Christ by the love you and your fellow Christians have for one another.

As a result, the non-Jewish outsiders have been able to experience mercy and to show appreciation to God. (Rom 15:9 Msg, cf. John 13:35, 15:13)

And what about you? Well, you can expect to be filled with nothing less than joy, peace, and the power of the Holy Spirit

I pray that God, the source of hope, will fill you completely with joy and peace because you trust in him. Then you will overflow with confident hope through the power of the Holy Spirit. (Rom 15:13).

The conditions of spiritual health and vitality are quite preferable to the me-sels, wouldn’t you say?

So here’s the deal: You can settle for a persistent case of the me-sels, or you can take a daily dose of dethroning until it clears up. What’s it going to be?