Lopsided Christianity?

Probably, the title of this post should be "Christianity - missing the mark?" but since I keep hearing the phrase "Lopsided Christianity" ringing in my mind, I have decided to settle with the present title. Actually, I did not plan to pen my thoughts on this subject today but they were dropped into my heart this morning. Admittedly, it's not easy to structure these thoughts - so, hopefully, stating them in the form of questions (with reference to Scripture verses and some personal thoughts) would be appropriate. This is going to be a short (but provocative) entry.

John 12:32 (NKJV) - And I, if I am lifted up from the earth, will draw all peoples to Myself
Are we lifting up human personalities or are we lifting up Christ? There seems to be a deluge of Christian programmes and personalities that are being heavily promoted today. In fact, the Christian personalities (or celebrities) today appear to be more popular than Christ Himself.

Acts 20:35b (NKJV) - ...And remember the words of the Lord Jesus, that He said, ‘It is more blessed to give than to receive
We do not seem to remember Jesus saying that. Did He? The popular teachings of the day is to grab, grab, grab, get, get, get or in a more subtle way: give to RECEIVE!!

2 Timothy 3:5a (NKJV) - having a form of godliness but denying its power...
A lot of lip service today but not seeing the raw power of God. We are living in times where Christian literature, teachings and seminars are in abundance on almost any Christian topics but not many Christian gatherings that witness the explosion of His Presence and Power. Why?

Ephesians 4:14 (NKJV) - that we should no longer be children, tossed to and fro and carried about with every wind of doctrine, by the trickery of men, in the cunning craftiness of deceitful plotting;
Acts 20:27 (NKJV) - For I have not shunned to declare to you the whole counsel of God.
With the abundance of Christian literature and teachings, all kinds of half-truth doctrines have also crept into the church. Have we been listening to the whole counsel of God? Are there more babes/children than matured adults in the church today? Every body seems to be putting extra emphasis on their pet doctrines to the exclusion of the rest.

Luke 4:43 (NKJV) - but He said to them, “I must preach the kingdom of God to the other cities also, because for this purpose I have been sent
Luke 9:2a (NKJV) - He sent them to preach the kingdom of God...
The mission of Jesus is to preach the KINGDOM OF GOD and so is ours. But, more and more people are getting more interested and excited about certain ministries being preached than the KINGDOM OF GOD. Are we heavily promoting a particular ministry or are we preaching the KINGDOM OF GOD? Do we seek to extend the KINGDOM OF GOD on this earth or to expand more (mega) ministries?

John 3:30 (NKJV) - He must increase, but I must decrease.
The modern gospel has taken out the necessity of death to self. The words of John the Baptist have probably been long kept in the museum. I must decrease? (You must be kidding)

The list goes on.

But, if our hearts desire to see the greater glory of God manifested in our days it is time to be honest with ourselves. There is a dire need for "balance" and "humility" in the Christian circle today. The question we should be asking ourselves is whether we know the heart of God? (It's no use assuming we know His heart just because we seem to be 'ok') May the Spirit of light and truth illuminate our eyes and our hearts to see the true condition we are in and to desperately cry out unto the Lord for His mercy and intervention.

Thus says the LORD:
“ Stand in the ways and see,
And ask for the old paths, where the good way is,
And walk in it;
Then you will find rest for your souls...
(Jeremiah 6:16 NKJV)

If My people who are called by My name will humble themselves, and pray and seek My face, and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin and heal their land.
(2 Chronicles 7:14 NKJV)