Dallas Willard says we live in the consumer Christianity age. That is an age in which people delight in God’s grace of forgiveness, when they use the services of the church for special occasions, but do not engage their inner life, their inmost thoughts, feelings, and intentions to serve Christ or His Kingdom agenda. He argues “such people are not inwardly transformed and are not committed” as they should be. Dr. Willard would say today’s Christians are different from Gaius, one of the Apostle John’s converts. Here is what John wrote to his friend. “Some of the traveling teachers recently returned and made me very happy by telling me about your faithfulness and that you are living according to the truth. I could have no greater joy than to hear that my children are following the truth.” Our Lord is filled with joy when we are dedicated to live out His values; to spread the Good News of God’s love and forgiveness; and when we work to see righteousness and justice spread abroad in our world.
Dr. Melvin E. Banks, Sr.
Dr. Melvin E. Banks, Sr. is the founder and chairman of UMI (Urban Ministries, Inc.). Under his direction, UMI has grown to be a leading publisher of Christian education resources for churches in the African American community. Read More
