The World's Church

After reading the ABC News interview with Rick Warren, the prayer that our precious Savior, Jesus Christ, prayed before the Cross came to my mind:

I have given them your word, and the world has hated them because they are not of the world, just as I am not of the world. I do not ask that you take them out of the world, but that you keep them from the evil one. They are not of the world, just as I am not of the world. Sanctify them in the truth; your word is truth. As you sent me into the world, so I have sent them into the world. And for their sake I consecrate myself,that they also may be sanctified in truth. John 17: 14-19

I specifically thought of that prayer in John 17 after this statement:

"Every church has to make the decision. … Is it going to live for itself, or is it going to live for the world that Jesus died for?"

Does anyone else see the grave implications of this statement? I wept when I read it. So many people will fall for this and my heart aches for them. We really are seeing what the 'worlds' church looks like.

Mr. Warren, The Body of Christ is going to live for Christ alone through His Word. And, the 'world' is going to hate us for it because the Body of Christ will NEVER look like the world. This is what scripture teaches us. That is the whole point. How else will God get the Glory?

The Little Red Book Has Competition

The more I thought about the Purpose Driven Life by Rick Warren, the more this thought freaked me out: When was the last time a book, written by a mere man, got so much distribution? I could only think of one other instance and that happened in China. Chairman Mao wrote a little red book filled with with his teachings. That actual title is "The Red Treasured Book" from a term that was popular during the Cultural Revolution.

The estimated number of copies in print exceeds 900 million, second only to the Bible. It was required for Chinese citizens to own, read and carry it at all times during the Cultural Revolution. It was taught that understanding Mao's quotes would bring about 'enlightenment' to work resulting in production efficiencies and improvement. But Mao lacked vision. His book was only for China.

There is another book, written by a 'mere man' that is being distributed all over the world. For the proletariat, it is free, just like the Little Red Book. It is called A Purpose Driven Life. It is the teachings of Rick Warren. In this book, Rick Warren promises 'purpose' for your life in 40 days! This book has sold more than 20 million copies and is printed in 56 languages. Mr. Warren has a long way to go to catch up with Chairman Mao's 900 Million. But we have no doubt with his new PEACE plan he will not be far behind! Soon, Mr. Warren will take his purposeful big purple book to millions more around the world so that they, too, can find enlightenment.

Scary, huh?