Pragmatism, Spectacular Success and Consistent Discipleship

This passage from D.A. Carson’s exposition on the Sermon on the Mount (Matt. 5-7) stopped me in my tracks:

Another form of self-delusion, however, is evident in Matthew 7:21-23. It is not so much that the false claimant lulls himself into spiritual apathy, as that he mistakes loud profession and supernatural, almost magical formulations and experiences, for true spirituality and genuine godliness. Obedience is neglected. The pressure of the spectacular has excluded the stability of growing conformity to the Father’s will. Because he seems to be getting results, immediate results, spectacular results, he feels he is close to the center of true religion. His success indices are soaring: God must be blessing him. Surely God will understand and sympathize if there is not always enough time for prayer, self-examination, or conscious repentance. The results are the important thing. If the truth gets a trifle bent, it’s only because the supporters need to hear certain things. And is it wise to run the risk of driving off such supporters by talking about the narrow way? Just as Nixon’s closest aides could talk themselves into believing that their cause was more important that their ethics, so these religious extroverts convince themselves that their success-oriented spectacular victories are more important that the nitty-gritty of consistent discipleship.

It is true, of course, that no man enters the kingdom because of his obedience; but it is equally true that no man enters the kingdom who is not obedient. It is true that men are saved by God’s grace through faith in Christ; but it is equally true that God’s grace in a man’s life inevitably results in obedience. Any other view of grace cheapens grace, and turns it into something unrecognizable. Cheap grace preaches forgiveness without repentance, church membership without rigorous church discipline, discipleship without obedience, blessing without persecution, joy without righteousness, results without obedience. In the entire history of the church has there ever been another generation with so many nominal Christians and so few real (i.e. obedient) ones? And where nominal Christianity is compounded by spectacular profession, it is especially likely to manufacture its own false assurances.

D.A. Carson, Jesus’ Sermon on the Mount and His Confrontation with the World: An Exposition of Matthew 5-10 (as published in The Sermon on the Mount, p. 131)

This is, perhaps one of the strongest cautions against pragmatism and the perception of success that I’ve ever read. We often hear that it’s not right to be concerned about a church or ministry’s direction if it’s seeing vast numerical growth. “People are coming—God must be blessing it,” we are tempted to say. But perhaps we should be a little more hesitant to say that whatever successes we achieve are a sign of God’s blessing. It could just as easily be a sign of disobedience.

Posted by Aaron Armstrong

Aaron is the author of several books for adults and children, as well as multiple documentaries and Bible studies. His latest book, I'm a Christian—Now What?: A Guide to Your New Life with Christ is available now.

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4 Replies to “Pragmatism, Spectacular Success and Consistent Discipleship”

  1. I really appreciate your post Aaron. I actually think it was courageous. I won’t explain in a comment why. The following are a couple quotes I’m hoping you appreciate.
     

    “We need a baptism of clear
    seeing. We desperately need seers who can see through the mist–Christian
    leaders with prophetic vision. Unless they come soon it will be too late for
    this generation. And if they do come we will no doubt crucify a few of them in
    the name of our worldly orthodoxy.” -A. W. Tozer

    “Revival and change are almost
    synonymous terms and both clearly cut across traditionalism. There is no way
    true revival can occur without major changes disrupting and reordering the life
    of the Church… God is no traditionalist. While God is orderly, He is always
    fresh and vital. If a church can run according to forms and traditions of men,
    it will run without the presence and power of God … Is it any wonder the love
    of tradition is an enemy to revival? Revival and new life go hand in hand …
    Let every church realize that the inordinate love of tradition is a great
    opponent to revival … When a church slays the love of tradition, a major
    obstacle to revival will be slain with it.” – Richard Owen Roberts

    I’m truly growing to appreciate your blog more each day.

    1. Thanks very much Mike – I’m grateful for the encouragement and that the Lord has been using it as a help!

  2. Good post, Aaron!  You know, it’s interesting that those who desire obedience to God are the ones who are ostracized in the church today.   Anything that pertains to “law” is considered legalistic instead of obedience.  It seriously grieves me.  This is why I’m praying for revival.

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