November 16

Good or Great?


Remember, it is sin to know what you ought to do and then not do it.

James 4:17 (NLT)


In the book, Breakout Churches, Thom Rainer jolts us with his opening line, “It is a sin to be good if God calls you to be great.” Wow!

Rainer points out, God calls us to the Great Commission, not the Good Commission, and the Great Commandment, not the Good Commandment, and finally, we are reminded, “There are three things that endure—faith, hope and love—and the greatest of these is love” (I Corinthians 13:13). We are called to all of these—especially to love. It’s a point worth thinking about. I mean, who among us thinks they are great? Who really thinks they have arrived? But, on the other hand, are we content with the status quo, the routine? Or are we truly hungering and thirsting for righteousness?

I am afraid Rainer has identified a central issue in the American Church. We are content with the safety and comfort of both our good lives and our good churches when what God calls us to is so much greater.

Our breakout moment comes when, no longer satisfied with good, we set out in passionate pursuit of God and His greater will. While we may not consider ourselves great, we can still begin the journey.


Father, You are great, not us, but You can do great things in and through us, in and through Your church. Help us achieve all You want. Amen.