Doing? Or Being?
Today’s message is titled, “My Yoke Is Easy and My Burden Is Light.” These are our Lord’s words spoken in Matthew 11:30.
However, I think Pastor Eddie’s message could also have been titled, “Are You A Human Doing, or a Human Being?” Pastor Eddie even states towards the end of his sermon, “It’s not about what you can do for Jesus or trying harder to serve Jesus. You can’t do anything for Him. He’s God! How could He need anything from you?”
But when we think we’re measured or rewarded by God based on what we do and not who we are, we get stuck in self-condemnation. And fear. And we all know where that road leads!
Pietism Still Plagues the Church
Pietism became a kind of official “trend” in the Church during the Reformations of the 16th century. The Pietists placed great emphasis on deeds and works because they grew weary of boring sermons and dry theological discussion. Although Pietism did not become a recognized movement within the Church until the 16th century, we can see the roots of Pietism in the Scriptures themselves. Much of St. Paul’s writings are aimed at correcting the pietist Christians who believed works and deeds justify us before God (e.g., study the Galatians).
But what is Pietism? The root word — “piety” — may give you a hint.
Stated simply, Pietism prioritizes deed over creed. Pietists are Christians who tend to believe that what I do is more important than who I am or what I believe. Put another way, Pietists prioritize doing good works over correct doctrine. “Deed over Creed” actually became a common slogan among parishioners during the second wave of the Reformation.
That isn’t the only characteristic of Pietists, however, and they had good traits, too. For example, the Pietists of the 16th century were largely the ones who gave us our “small group, home Bible study” practice. The Pietists were always wanting to know how to spur one another on in love and good works. As a result, they pushed for personal and communal Bible study and “devotional time.” These devotional practices had ceased being popular by the time the Church entered the Medieval era.
Good works are certainly … good! That goes without saying. But when we as Christians prioritize doing over being, we can easily become a “Martha Church.” We become a church full of events and activities and services, but no changed hearts. We have programs galore, but no real repentance. We’re always busy, busy, busy. We become so busy, in fact, that we miss our Lord’s still, small voice, saying, “Martha, my dear, you are troubled over so many things!”
We become so intent on ministering to our Lord, that we forget to let Him minister to us!
That is where the spirit of Pietism tends to lead us. Unfortunately, Pietism gets the order wrong. Deed is actually not more important than Creed. “You can only do what you believe,” Pastor Mike echoes. “Get the order right! Understand which comes first and which realm has priority!”
Our Lord reminds us that His yoke is easy, and His burden is light. Why? Because He’s doing all the work. He’s waiting for us to stop trying to do so much, and to stop yanking against Him.
Let’s agree with Pastor Eddie to let our deeds flow from our identities, and to always remember which one comes first.
