Mark 10 describes a scene where Jesus is teaching his disciples about service, a major theme in the Gospel of Mark. In verses 42-45 we get a picture of what it means for us as Christians to imitate our Savior in service. The text reads:
42 And Jesus called them to him and said to them, “You know that those who are considered rulers of the Gentiles lord it over them, and their great ones exercise authority over them. 43 But it shall not be so among you. But whoever would be great among you must be your servant, 44 and whoever would be first among you must be slave of all. 45 For even the Son of Man came not to be served but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many.
Jesus came NOT to be served, but to serve. Sinful individualism says, look at me! Praise me! Jesus says, be a servant as I am a servant. Sinful individualism says, “take!” Jesus says, “give!” Sinful individualism says “Me!” Jesus says, “others.” The Apostle Paul adds to the force of this when he writes to the Philippians, saying:
3 Do nothing from rivalry or conceit, but in humility count others more significant than yourselves. 4 Let each of you look not only to his own interests, but also to the interests of others. 5 Have this mind among yourselves, which is yours in Christ Jesus, 6 who, though he was in the form of God, did not count equality with God a thing to be grasped, 7 but made himself nothing, taking the form of a servant, being born in the likeness of men. 8 And being found in human form, he humbled himself by becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross. (Philippians 2:3-8)
You see, the way of the Christian is to consider the others above self. To look to the interests of others and not always seek your own self-promotion. To be a servant, giving up all claims to glory like our Savior did!
What this means for individualism is not that all self-expression which leads to distinction is sin, but rather that the pursuit of “standing-out,” the desperate need to be unique in the eyes of others for the sake of being “cool” is sin. We all have, to some degree, unique self-expression. This is not a sin and this is where McCracken’s criticisms fail. But nonetheless it is important that we guard our hearts and evaluate our actions and motives. Are we seeking distinction or are we seeking servanthood? Are we pointing people to Jesus, or trying to swipe His glory?
Sparrow & Heart Soul Care 