This article originally appeared in print journal Mar/Apr 2000.

Which of these things is not like the others?

• Evangelism

• Disciple-making

• Outreach

• A loveless heart

 In our ministry, we discovered there is no dichotomy. In fact, we found the first three things can lead to the fourth.

Surveying the Land

In many ways, American Christianity is in poor shape. One notable problem is similar to the struggle faced by the church of Ephesus in Revelation 2. Like Ephesus, many American churches have lost their first love.

Even worse—they don't even know it.

But that's not the only bad news. The bigger problem is what they purchase as a replacement part. Many congregations blindly buy the message of doing over being. "If we do the right things—reach out and make disciples—everything will work out." Slogans like WWJD become road maps to spiritual health.

But should slogans and "five steps to a more fruitful life" act as road maps to spiritual health? Can something as seemingly positive as the WWJD movement actually keep us from spiritual health?

The answer to the former question?

No.

But as for the latter…you bet.

In fact, constantly wondering about and focusing on what Jesus would do kept me from noticing a cancerous disorder gnawing away at my life and my ministry.

Diagnosing a Loveless Heart

In Revelation 2, Jesus addresses this issue with the church of Ephesus: "I know your deeds, your hard work, and your perseverance. I know that you cannot tolerate wicked men…you have persevered and have endured hardships for my name, and have not grown weary" (verses 2,3). According to Jesus, these believers were doing the right stuff. They worked hard, dealt with wickedness, and endured hardships. (Sounds like WWJD Christianity to me.) But Jesus still had a problem with them: "I hold this against you: You have forsaken your first love" (verse 4).

A loveless heart sneaks up on many believers just as it took hold of the church in Ephesus. Its deception blurs reality—we do the right things (evangelism, disciple-making, and reaching out) not because we love God, but because we love being right. And then our righteousness turns into a pride issue instead of a love issue. This is a loveless heart.

Diagnosing My Heart

God revealed my loveless heart while I prepared to speak for a conference called Operation Good News (OGN) at Nyack College, just south of New York City. These conferences are unbelievable equipping tools. In the morning, students are trained in evangelism and apologetics. After lunch, they hit the streets (in this case, the streets of the Big Apple) for an afternoon of face-to-face witnessing. It's not role playing—it's the real deal. It was a pretty incredible, life-changing week.