You are NOT a Consumer
We are programmed to be consumers. We are targeted as consumers. We are rewarded for consuming. It is easy to see how “consumer” is the primary identity piece our cultural context holds. All other identities fall under the consumer profile. We use our lesser identities to support our primary identity. This is clearly reflected in way people respond to Christianity.
People hear the amazing news of God’s salvation and lordship. They say “yes” to a relationship with Jesus. They are baptized and are born again into a new identity, but they often try to keep the old identity of “consumer” around. The old identity was cultivated for years, has tremendous cultural support, is easy to justify, and feels normal. Being a consumer can easily jump being a disciple of Christ for the top identity spot.
The symptoms are easy to see. People are consumers of God instead of participants with God. People use God to support their goals, ambitions, and dreams instead of seeking God’s will and investing in His Kingdom. People gorge themselves on Christian media, products, and sub-culture oddities. They think primarily about their personal needs being met and view local churches as a one-stop shop for providing for every spiritual, emotional, relational, and physical need they feel. Confusion, frustration, and exhaustion ensue when we try to use God to support our desires instead of denying ourselves, daily taking up our crosses, and following Jesus.
Jesus was crystal clear on what following Him looks like. He understands that we will struggle, and He graciously and compassionately spoke directly into this issue.
“Then he said to them all: “Whoever wants to be my disciple must deny themselves and take up their cross daily and follow me. 24 For whoever wants to save their life will lose it, but whoever loses their life for me will save it. 25 What good is it for someone to gain the whole world, and yet lose or forfeit their very self?” (Luke 9:23-25 NIV)
You are NOT a consumer. I repeat…you are NOT a consumer. Say it with me, “I am NOT a consumer.”
Consumers suck resources. Contributors invest resources. Are you investing in God’s Kingdom or sucking?
“So from now on we regard no one from a worldly point of view. Though we once regarded Christ in this way, we do so no longer. 17 Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, the new creation has come:[a] The old has gone, the new is here!” (2 Corinthians 5:16-17 NIV)
We regard no one from a worldly point of view…that includes ourselves. It is crucial that we have a right view of self to process life as a follower of Jesus. The old is gone…the new has come! The old self was crucified with Christ. The “consumer” was buried with Jesus in the tomb, but the new self is risen with Him into eternal life. The new self is a coheir with Christ, an adopted child of God, and a participant in God’s mission to save the world. We are filled with the Holy Spirit. We are mature and complete, not lacking anything.
The abundant life that Jesus promises is experienced through investing in His Kingdom. We have life and we have it to the full…we are fulfilled and therefore have no need to consume. Enjoy being like Jesus in your world.
