We live in a consumer-driven culture. No matter what it is, if you want it – and can afford it – you can have it. The famous Burger King slogan, “Have It Your Way” exemplifies the way we think about everything; we want it our way.

Unfortunately, many of us have started to apply this consumer mentality to spiritual things as well. In a local church body, people think of themselves as paying customers. “If this church won’t do things my way,” they seem to say, “I’ll find a church who will.”

This is so far from New Testament Christianity! Christians should be:

1. Selfless
In order to be a disciple of Christ, we must die to self (Luke 9:23; Galatians 2:20). This is the example Jesus set for us (Philippians 2:1-8). You are never more unlike Jesus Christ than when you selfishly demand to “have it your way.”

2. Submissive to Christ
You may put money into a collection plate, but that doesn’t make you a paying customer; it makes you a contributing member. The church is not some business or organization you choose to support. If you are a Christian, then you are the church.

As the church, we belong to Christ; He purchased us (1 Corinthians 6:20; 1 Peter 1:18-19). Therefore, let us submit to Christ in everything (Ephesians 5:24). Stop worrying about having it your way and start doing things His way!

3. Submissive to One Another
There will always be matters of opinion and preference in the church. You’ll always like something that other people dislike and there will always be people who dislike what you love. The biblical mandate in these situations is not to demand to “have it your way,” but to let them have it their way.

In fact, Paul says we show reverence for Christ by “submitting to one another” (Ephesians 5:21).

No More Demanding to Have it Your Way
So, when it is a matter of doctrine, do it Christ’s way. When it is a matter of opinion, do it your brethren’s way. That is the heart of selflessness. That is the heart of Christianity.

Read these words from Philippians 2:1-8 very carefully:

We talk a lot about baptism. And with good reason, baptism is the moment at which a repentant believer’s sins are washed away by the blood of Christ (Acts 2:38; 22:16; Romans 6:1-7; 1 Peter 3:21). But, often we fail to help people understand that being baptized is more than just being forgiven. Being baptized means accepting Christ’s invitation into a very radical lifestyle – the lifestyle of a disciple.

Baptism is the moment of initiation into a life of following Jesus (Matthew 28:18-20; John 3:5). Being baptized is essentially saying to the Lord, “From this moment on, I commit myself to You. I will follow you until the day I die.” F. Lagard Smith wrote a book entitled, Baptism: The Believer’s Wedding Ceremony. Although I’ve yet to read the book, I think the title is a very apt description of what baptism is all about (Romans 6:1-7; 2 Corinthians 11:2-3; James 4:4).

Becoming a disciple of Christ is not a decision to take lightly. In fact, Jesus warned people to count the cost before making the commitment (Luke 14:25-33). Do we warn people, before baptizing them, of the unbelievably great commitment they are making? And just as important, are we ourselves living up to the commitment we made when were baptized? Are we living as people who have accepted Christ’s invitation to follow Him (1 John 2:4-6)?