July-August 1999
More of Jesus, Less of Me
by Greg Albrecht
| "Do nothing out of selfish
ambition or vain conceit, but in humility consider others better than yourselves." Philippians 2:3 |
One of our readers wrote that he was getting a little tired of our culture's love affair with me, myself and I. In case you aren't yet, let me share a few thoughts. It seems like more and more people are beginning to actually believe advertising copy. You know the ones I mean.
If you're bald, we can help you grow real hair. If your hair is gray, we will color it. Good looks count.
Impotence? Next day delivery of Viagra. No need to wait for sexual success.
Too short? Let us help you add inches to your height.
Too fat? New miracle method -- lose weight by hypnosis. Or, try our optional plan -- eat all you want and still lose weight.
Bad credit? No credit? No problem! You can still buy from us.
Come to where the flavor is (and in fine print) -- cigarette smoking may cause cancer.
Conclusion: If you are a bald, impotent, overweight, too short, debt-ridden, chain-smoking adult, forget about it!
New Rules
To help prepare my column for this issue, I called some promotional people. I told them I was worried about Christians who have been taught passages like Philippians 2:3, and that they need help to feel good about themselves and love themselves. They need to be delivered, once and for all, from traditional ideas that they should care for one another, love their neighbor and serve others.
The promotional people helped. Putting our heads together, we came up with four rules that seem to be gaining in popularity, rules that will help you keep up with the latest trends in greed, vanity and me-ism.
#1 -- Compare. The grass IS greener. Compare your children and spouse with better looking and more talented people. Remind friends and family that they do not meet your high standards. Never let a day go by without finding fault with someone who is close to you. Always take the time to correct others. God needs Christians who have command presence and the courage to judge others.
#2 -- Look out for numero uno. Use the personal pronoun continuously. Insist on having your way, from fast food choices to the television programs you and your spouse, family and friends watch.
#3 -- You are always right. Never admit you are wrong. Belittle, domineer and control. Be opinionated and obnoxious (remember, Jesus was a "take-charge" person -- he cast the money changers out of the temple).
#4 -- Find Bible verses that agree with you. Very important key for Christians. Amaze any friends you have left! This is also called the "pick and choose, a la carte" method of Bible study. It's the "here a little, there a little" technique. This amazing key will help you to always arrive at the complete subjective truth on any topic and make you feel good about behaving just as you please.
New Christian Hymns
So far, you might think I'm overstating the problem. Well, why did I recently receive an e-mail suggesting that a number of Christian hymns be adapted so they would be more "in tune" with our culture? Here are a few:
Sit Up, Sit Up for Jesus
My Hope is Built on Nothing Much
I'm Fairly Certain that my Redeemer Lives
Blest Be the Tie that Doesn't Cramp my Style
Special, Special, Special
Blessed Hunch
The reader who wrote me is concerned with the lazy, self-centered emphasis in our
society. Our readers are (almost) always right. We need more of Jesus and less of
ourselves.
Greg Albrecht's Plain Truth Commentary can be heard each week on a number of radio stations as well as the PTM website -- www.ptm.org.