Let’s jump right in and consider some “isms” of our day in this first post of many on the gospel of “isms.”
The Gospel Of Meism
Though the gospel of Meism is subtle and deceptive, it is nonetheless very much alive in our hearts. I doubt any of us would come right out and proclaim it but Me sits on the throne of Meism. Meism’s savior is, well…Me, its god is Me, its hope for change is Me. Me is also the one who is to be submitted to, honored, adored, and obeyed.
Identifying Meisms
- I come to church with thoughts about; how does this service suit me, does it “feel” good to me, does it fit MY style, did they sing the songs I like, did the preacher preach to my preferences and my liking?
- I will serve others as long as it’s the kind of serving that I am desirous of or willing to do. (Meism keeps a mental list of the kinds of things it will and won’t do and the kinds of people it will or won’t serve.)
- Meism wants to be recognized. There is nothing wrong with recognition until it becomes the lust of our souls. How do we identify this Meism? Are you offended, bitter, or jealous when someone else is recognized in some way that you have been overlooked?
- Nothing like yet another selfie for others to “Like” to feed the soul of Me.
- Meism wants the attention of the leaders and/or influencers in the room. It desires to be seen standing next to or talking with “that” person.
- Meism protects self at all costs. Me is the god that must be defended.
- Meism subtly proclaims… Me.
- It is easily offended by a small comment or it can tend to think long about why such and such a person made no comment to them at all.
- If you are thinking that your local church would be a better church if those who attended it were more like you…
- If your gospel includes aspects of your works then you are missing the Gospel for another gospel, another “ism”, Meism’s cousin is the gospel of moralism.
- Meism, just like all forms of religion, is fuelled by convictions and values. The convictions that fuels Meism is life is must be lived on MY terms. Meism does church on MY terms, Christian living on MY terms, and worship on MY terms. (I trust you are seeing the contradiction of the previous sentence. For instance, Christian living on MY terms, isn’t Christian living, etc…!)
Obviously, this Meism affects how we come to church if we come to church, and how we serve or if we serve. It makes decisions about going to church, serving, giving, or even submitting to God’s Word based on how Meism feels.
Feelings are very important to Meism’s god. If Meism’s god feels like serving or going or proclaiming Christ or praying or…, then the god who is ME, has no problem with any of these things. However, when these activities of true worship conflict with how Me feels, Meism always wins out. It has to, ME is the god who has the highest priority and greatest submission.
Perhaps what is most dangerous is that Meism is its own Savior and includes its own form of atonement, self-atonement. (Read: 10 Things That Self-Atonement Says) Meism believes in relationships, membership, and worship as long as it suits ME. Sadly, it has its own greatest commandment; Love self with all your heart, soul, mind, and strength, and love your neighbor if it suits your… self. Meism affects big things like our future and small things like simple daily obedience.
I recently heard Meism’s Declaration of Independence on a popular TV show. “In the eternal debate for answers – the one that is true is what’s true for you.” Really? Do you hear the god of Meism in this common, cultural sentiment?
This quote is saying that the one truth “in the eternal debate for answers” is whatever is true for you. The gospel of Meism tells us that, if it is “true for you”… then the adultery, dishonesty, denial of God, or you can fill in the blank with any vice. As long as it’s true for you, it is true. Surely we are not surprised by the moral decay of our society when this is the one truth in the eternal debate for answers. We can imagine further anarchy of the soul in a statement such as this.
The popular TV show preaches to us that this is Meisms eternal debate of truth. How misguided and far-reaching is this false god?
The Danger For The Christian
The Gospel of Meism is so consumed with self that it causes us to take our eyes off the true Gospel and allows for offenses, bitterness, and unresolved conflict. Meism refuses to humble oneself and to ask for forgiveness or to offer forgiveness. Meism doesn’t want to love the unlovely or walk with the weak. Meism paralyzes compassion and refrains from evangelism. These require self-sacrifice and are too annoying for Me. Meism’s pride asks, what is wrong with all these people around me? Obviously, its roots are in another “ism” I will be blogging about soon… Phariseeism.
Dethroning Me
Paul writes to the Corinthians that “you do not belong to yourself” or as the ESV translates it, “You are not your own.” Friends, we are fully dependant on the One true God. Christian, He purchased you and set you free from the pursuit of the false gospel of Meism. We are dead to Mesim and alive in Christ!
Or do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit within you, whom you have from God? You are not your own, for you were bought with a price. So glorify God in your body.
I Corinthians 6:19-20
The Good News
Like our first parents Adam and Eve, we have eaten of the fruit and bought the lie of this false gospel. The second Adam, Jesus Christ came to offer us forgiveness! He died to save us from the false gospel of Meism. Praise be to God, He offers us death to self and a new life in Him!
