During the
week, he is a mild mannered cubicle dweller.
Quiet. Goes about his
business. Never ruffles feathers. Goes home to his wife after swinging by to
get Little Caesar’s Pizza. Asks the
kids, “How was School?” Grunts in
response to questions about his day.
Watches Sports Center. Goes to
bed.
But on
Sunday, he morphs into FAITHMAN! He
raises his hands during the praise songs for five whole minutes! He corrects his Bible Community Group teacher
on miniscule points of theology! He
pulls the pastor aside to chastise him for not praying about the latest
political crisis! Mentally, he preaches
better sermons than the pastor and sings better solos that the praise
team! Yes, he is FAITHMAN!
Oddly, when
asked to serve, he declines, citing schedule, or the incorrect theology of the
event, or unqualified leaders of the ministry.
He is able
to complain about the ministry of the church though he never gives. He justifies this because of the poor
stewardship of the church.
FAITHMAN is
never in doubt, never wrong in his own mind.
He will tell you his wife and kids submit to him and respect him (but
don’t ask them how they feel).
One Problem
with FAITHMAN: Whatever faith he has is
dead. It’s sterile. It’s all talk, no
action. It’s the kind of faith that dominates too many churches and is embraced
by too many people.
Poor
FAITHMAN – he only deceives himself. Sadly,
though people try to tell him about a different kind of faith, his
self-righteous attitude keeps him from ever hearing the truth.
James told
us the truth from his older brother Jesus:
Faith without works is dead.
Check the
mirror – make sure FAITHMAN isn’t you.
