Wednesday, May 23, 2018

American Idols: Utility



“But the Lord said unto Samuel, Look not on his countenance, or on the height of his stature; because I have refused him: for the Lord seeth not as man seeth; for man looketh on the outward appearance, but the Lord looketh on the heart.” - 1 Samuel 16:7

Utility is usefulness.  The valuation of someone or something quantified in the question: Does it work?  This idea of Utilitarianism invades every aspect of our culture.  Utility leads to production, and production to progress, and progress is always met with praise and promotion; to the point that those who are labeled useless are consequently worthless.

The first king of Israel was one of surprising utility.  However, by and by he was lifted up with pride and forgot to be little in his own sight.  When Samuel was called to anoint the second king, he looked for a similar man.  A man of utility, David was not this man.  Samuel was looking on the outward, looking for a king that was strong, handsome, big, and brave.  A man of maturity, who showed all the qualifications that a king would require.  This was the selection process Samuel was accustomed to.  In America, are we so different?  When you apply for a job, the hiring process is based on utility.  When you buy a product the purchasing process is formed from utility.  The valuation of goods and services, rooted in utility.  Have you ever heard of pager?  What about a VCR?  How about a Discman?  Anyone under the age of 15 in America will have no clue what these are, why?  Because those things lost their utility, and therefore they are lost to our culture.  Is it no wonder that when people look for a church they look on the grounds of utility?  What can you do for me?  What programs?  What ministries? What will I get for my time here?  Consequently, the ministers of utility preach to that end.  They present the gospel in a manner of abundant usefulness to you, until the Son of God is degraded into the selfsame utilitarian product that exists only for the betterment of you.  Furthermore, the only thing keeping them interested is the usefulness of Christ, and the moment that usefulness expires or is superseded in their own mind, they check out.  Please do not misunderstand.  Is their utility in Christ? Certainly.  Do you need Christ to be saved? Absolutely.  Do we need Christ to go to heaven?  Yes.  Does Jesus provide abundant usefulness in our lives?  Of course.  His utility is unmatched, but this is simply a tributary not the mainstream.  His utility to you is not, and cannot be, the main motivator of your devotion to Him, it must be something deeper.  We are born into this world lost, broken, and doomed to a sinner’s hell.  We need a Savior.  God in his grace and mercy sent His own Son to die, to provide pardon and power.  Pardon for sins committed and power live free from sin.  Consider then, how we, his creation, dare to evaluate the usefulness of this action?  Are we so blinded by our own idolatry that we fail to embrace the passion of Christ? 

Thank God, that he did not measure us on the same ground of utility.  Praise God!  He did not have “try outs” or take us through an interview process.  It was love that brought Him to the cross and love that kept him there.  We should not love and serve Him because of what he can do for us, we should love and serve Him because he is worthy.  We can be free from the bondage of sin, because of Him.  God looked on the heart and offered healing, Christ went to the cross and brought victory; the only avenue of utility within humanity is found in Jesus Christ. 

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