The Success Gospel

In America today much of the popular preaching is aimed at being successful, at helping establish a positive reputation. Some of this kind of preaching is based in greed, and some of it is based in the fear of man. Either way this preaching has as its foundation something other than the glory of Jesus. Listening to preachers on television you have to ask why they spend so much time talking about how to be liked, how to be wealthy, and generally how to live an "overcoming life". I believe the prosperity gospel, as well as the self-help-life is all about being liked and appreciated gospel are what Paul would refer to as "another gospel". These gospels do not see Jesus as the end or the goal of Christianity or following and loving Jesus. These gospels see Jesus as a means to another end...in some cases this end is a good reputation, financial wealth, physical health, power (spiritual gifts) etc.

With that in mind I wanted to post some verses from the letters to the early churches regarding suffering. If you take the time to read these note the writers of these letters do not assume that following Jesus has something to do with being liked, being wealthy, or being "on top of things" in any sense. Instead the Apostles encourage the early church to view suffering as a positive thing, to rejoice in them, and to be reminded that in suffering they are imitating the Apostles and Christ Jesus himself. It is a strange thing that the gospel many preachers preach today would have us to be nothing like Jesus or the Apostles on this earth. Instead of persecuted and martyred we should strive to be successful and well liked. Instead of seeking to serve in all humility we should seek to be promoted to high paying positions. Is this not the American capitalist gospel??? I think that it is. It may take many different forms, but at the core, these gospels are all to be summed up in one word. Idolatry.

Yes, I am aware that we are all idolaters at times, but it is important that the gospel we preach to our own souls is not itself an idolatrous, false gospel. If I am suffering and living in poverty should I preach to myself "stay at it, if you just follow Jesus long enough he will give you what you are really seeking...comfort by way of money"?? Of course I should not. But I am afraid I have preached this gospel to myself and I am afraid many of my brothers and sisters approach God in this same way. They believe that following Jesus has something to do with them becoming rich, successful, and well liked. And at times, it appears Jesus is simply the conduit by which they hope to attain the things they really love. Ok, I didnt plan to write that much, but here are some verses I took off of BibleGateWay about suffering in the New Testament.

Romans 5:2-42 Through him we have also obtained access by faith into this grace in which we stand, and we rejoice in hope of the glory of God. 3More than that, we rejoice in our sufferings, knowing that suffering produces endurance, 4and endurance produces character, and character produces hope,

Romans 8:17Now if we are children, then we are heirs—heirs of God and co-heirs with Christ, if indeed we share in his sufferings in order that we may also share in his glory.

1 Corinthians 12:26 [The Body of Christ, The Church]If one part suffers, every part suffers with it; if one part is honored, every part rejoices with it.

Philippians 1:29For it has been granted to you on behalf of Christ not only to believe on him, but also to suffer for him

Philippians 3:10I want to know Christ and the power of his resurrection and the fellowship of sharing in his sufferings, becoming like him in his death,

Colossians 1:24[ Paul's Labor for the Church ] Now I rejoice in what was suffered for you, and I fill up in my flesh what is still lacking in regard to Christ's afflictions, for the sake of his body, which is the church.

1 Thessalonians 1:6You became imitators of us and of the Lord; in spite of severe suffering, you welcomed the message with the joy given by the Holy Spirit.

2 Timothy 1:8So do not be ashamed to testify about our Lord, or ashamed of me his prisoner. But join with me in suffering for the gospel, by the power of God,

Hebrews 2:9But we see Jesus, who was made a little lower than the angels, now crowned with glory and honor because he suffered death, so that by the grace of God he might taste death for everyone.

Hebrews 2:10In bringing many sons to glory, it was fitting that God, for whom and through whom everything exists, should make the author of their salvation perfect through suffering.

Hebrews 13:3Remember those in prison as if you were their fellow prisoners, and those who are mistreated as if you yourselves were suffering.

James 5:10Brothers, as an example of patience in the face of suffering, take the prophets who spoke in the name of the Lord.

1 Peter 2:20But how is it to your credit if you receive a beating for doing wrong and endure it? But if you suffer for doing good and you endure it, this is commendable before God. To this you were called, because Christ suffered for you, leaving you an example, that you should follow in his steps.

1 Peter 4:1[ Living for God ] Therefore, since Christ suffered in his body, arm yourselves also with the same attitude, because he who has suffered in his body is done with sin.

1 Peter 4:12,13[ Suffering for Being a Christian ] Dear friends, do not be surprised at the painful trial you are suffering, as though something strange were happening to you. But rejoice that you participate in the sufferings of Christ, so that you may be overjoyed when his glory is revealed.

Revelation 1:9[ One like a Son of Man ] I, John, your brother and companion in the suffering and kingdom and patient endurance that are ours in Jesus, was on the island of Patmos because of the word of God and the testimony of Jesus.

Revelation 2:10Do not be afraid of what you are about to suffer. I tell you, the devil will put some of you in prison to test you, and you will suffer persecution for ten days. Be faithful, even to the point of death, and I will give you the crown of life.

These are only a portion of the verses that mention the word suffer explicitly. Suffering is addressed many more times throughout the letters to the churches. My hope in posting these verses is to remind myself and my brothers and sisters, that this faith to which we are called, that we claim, is not about anything other than Jesus. Consider your heart along with me. Consider whether or not you have made Jesus a means to an end.

Does your heart rage when you do not get what you feel you are owed by God? Has your family tithed for years in a church that emphasizes how rich God will make you financially for tithing, only to continue to live in relative poverty? Have you been depressed when a romantic relationship you prayed and longed for did not produce? Have you questioned Gods justice when a dishonest employee received promotion and esteem over you? Have you been discouraged when people did not see you the way you wish they did...as intelligent, responsible, and generally competent?

I can say yes to most of these questions. If you can too, consider with me what gospel you have believed and preached to your own soul. Is Jesus the beginning and the end goal of your gospel, or is he a means to another end, one that you have chosen from the multitude of idols available to us in our lives? If Jesus is not the end goal of your gospel you have no foundation upon which you can grow in the grace of Jesus. When your heart is discouraged you cannot preach to your soul ,"hope in God!". You can only assume that God has been unjust to you. Of course this leads to self-pity and every sort of selfish behavior. If you continue to struggle with the same discouraging battles in your hearts, reevaluate the gospel you are believing and living. Does it refresh your soul with the hope and encouragement that comes from a Christ centered gospel, or does it encourage ever deepening levels of self pity and wounded pride?