The little things that we miss
Greetings in the name of Jesus:
Our Christian experiences are governed by what we see and hear around us much the same way as our physical lives are governed by the influences of the world around us. When those things become tainted in any way we can be easily led off track from what our main objective is. We know some where in the back of our mind that this world is not a friend to us in trying to get closer to God. We know as well all of the reasons for that, and yet we still trust what we see and to hear to be real. It is a part of our human condition that we must consistently be aware of.
The point is simply that we become lulled into a state of complacency when we allow others to lead our thoughts and worship to God. The world around us is creeping into our efforts all of the time turning those things that we try to use for God's glory into just another program bent on trying to get people to sit in a service with us. While we must continue to try to influence others around us it cannot be done effectively by our own efforts on God's behalf. It must be done by our complete surrender to the power and the will of God through us to others.
With that in mind we must first consider when our tendency toward influencing others stops and God's power of spirit takes over the part of our witness to them. This world has a great many tools to draw God's people's attention today. In a way we must come Pete with those things of this world to attract the attention of others, but we must also know when to let go of the control and allow God's spirit to draw them. In the simplest form we are sometimes allowing the vehicle used to attract a person to continue to teach and grow with in our newly found converts rather than allowing Christ himself into their hearts. While a program designed or a format of worship may make for a slick presentation of Christ, the real power in our lives comes from the foundations and the purpose of our faith being taught. For so many today the only real understanding of their faith comes from a brand of Christ through being taught and not the purpose for which Christ founded the church. Most will automatically disagree with that statement until I reveal my reasons for saying that.
Today we have fallen into a trap, which leads us into complacency about our walk and relationship with God on a personal basis. It is in that process of seeking after God personally that we find it is easy to stray. We see more emphasis placed on worship as a community because of the thrill it gives those involved to feel the power of God moving through the group of people involved, but we are also finding less filling as individuals. There is less of a personal strength developed from allowing others to read, study and worship while we watch from the pew. It isn't that these things are bad, but rather habits forming to the child of God who is already too busy with life on the outside to take the time to seek after God personally. We have become as those who Paul said need to once again return to the milk of the word?
I have observed several things that cause me to believe that as a church we have failed to be what God has asked us to be. Just over the last 100 years this nation has changed considerably from one which has focused upon the things of God's word to those which have more to do with the world around us. While we see increase in the amount of study materials available to the average Christian there is a marked difference in the personal study and reading of Scripture for the purpose of growth in Christ. We have developed a cell group or study program that covers all of the answers for us, and we take for granted that the information is truth without looking for ourselves. Today it is far easier to take for granted that those who lead us have the answers to all the questions that pop up in our minds about God instead of asking the questions for ourselves and reasoning them out through discussion and prayer. I would like to address just a few of these things here.
1. God has established the church through Christ to be a family, which is unified in love and bound to Christ as the head at all times. Why then do we allow ourselves to be divided by doctrines and worship styles in such a way that we cannot even fellowship with one another?
2. The Holy Spirit's main purpose is to teach us what is right for what is false and yet we cling to that which is taught to us out of a sense of tradition rather than seek the truth that is revealed to us; namely that we should prefer one another to all of the rest of this world. If we can do that now what will happen for all eternity? If God has intended for us to be a family preferring one another above all things what will he do if we refuse?
3. We have taken an aggressive trend for saving the world in the name of Christ, and yet we have been told that our job is to simply share what Christ has meant to our own life, and not to try to convince or persuade others by our own determination. What does that do to our witness in Christ when others see that we cannot even accept one another? What does it say when we no longer allow the spirit to draw me he wills to Christ?
4. Our acceptance or denial of the truth that stands before us as Christians to become of one accord in our faith and love of Christ is a key factor in our power of witness to those who do not yet believe. Is our desire to control the outcome of our efforts so key today that we no longer become diminished so that Christ can be glorified?
5. The final and most important question for us today in our churches must be asked. Do we find ourselves in the same place spiritually as his church that we were created to be in by Christ? Are we poised to become the bride of Christ that we should be? If our answer is yes then who is it among us that will be favored above the rest?
Our very spiritual lives should reflect the answers to these questions and many others as well. It is time to ask ourselves things that cause ponds and reflection upon what we do in this life to causes God to believe that we are really his children. My question to you is where do you stand in the light of truth Now? May you ritually bless God through your life in him.
THE UNWORTHY SERVANT
Our Christian experiences are governed by what we see and hear around us much the same way as our physical lives are governed by the influences of the world around us. When those things become tainted in any way we can be easily led off track from what our main objective is. We know some where in the back of our mind that this world is not a friend to us in trying to get closer to God. We know as well all of the reasons for that, and yet we still trust what we see and to hear to be real. It is a part of our human condition that we must consistently be aware of.
The point is simply that we become lulled into a state of complacency when we allow others to lead our thoughts and worship to God. The world around us is creeping into our efforts all of the time turning those things that we try to use for God's glory into just another program bent on trying to get people to sit in a service with us. While we must continue to try to influence others around us it cannot be done effectively by our own efforts on God's behalf. It must be done by our complete surrender to the power and the will of God through us to others.
With that in mind we must first consider when our tendency toward influencing others stops and God's power of spirit takes over the part of our witness to them. This world has a great many tools to draw God's people's attention today. In a way we must come Pete with those things of this world to attract the attention of others, but we must also know when to let go of the control and allow God's spirit to draw them. In the simplest form we are sometimes allowing the vehicle used to attract a person to continue to teach and grow with in our newly found converts rather than allowing Christ himself into their hearts. While a program designed or a format of worship may make for a slick presentation of Christ, the real power in our lives comes from the foundations and the purpose of our faith being taught. For so many today the only real understanding of their faith comes from a brand of Christ through being taught and not the purpose for which Christ founded the church. Most will automatically disagree with that statement until I reveal my reasons for saying that.
Today we have fallen into a trap, which leads us into complacency about our walk and relationship with God on a personal basis. It is in that process of seeking after God personally that we find it is easy to stray. We see more emphasis placed on worship as a community because of the thrill it gives those involved to feel the power of God moving through the group of people involved, but we are also finding less filling as individuals. There is less of a personal strength developed from allowing others to read, study and worship while we watch from the pew. It isn't that these things are bad, but rather habits forming to the child of God who is already too busy with life on the outside to take the time to seek after God personally. We have become as those who Paul said need to once again return to the milk of the word?
I have observed several things that cause me to believe that as a church we have failed to be what God has asked us to be. Just over the last 100 years this nation has changed considerably from one which has focused upon the things of God's word to those which have more to do with the world around us. While we see increase in the amount of study materials available to the average Christian there is a marked difference in the personal study and reading of Scripture for the purpose of growth in Christ. We have developed a cell group or study program that covers all of the answers for us, and we take for granted that the information is truth without looking for ourselves. Today it is far easier to take for granted that those who lead us have the answers to all the questions that pop up in our minds about God instead of asking the questions for ourselves and reasoning them out through discussion and prayer. I would like to address just a few of these things here.
1. God has established the church through Christ to be a family, which is unified in love and bound to Christ as the head at all times. Why then do we allow ourselves to be divided by doctrines and worship styles in such a way that we cannot even fellowship with one another?
2. The Holy Spirit's main purpose is to teach us what is right for what is false and yet we cling to that which is taught to us out of a sense of tradition rather than seek the truth that is revealed to us; namely that we should prefer one another to all of the rest of this world. If we can do that now what will happen for all eternity? If God has intended for us to be a family preferring one another above all things what will he do if we refuse?
3. We have taken an aggressive trend for saving the world in the name of Christ, and yet we have been told that our job is to simply share what Christ has meant to our own life, and not to try to convince or persuade others by our own determination. What does that do to our witness in Christ when others see that we cannot even accept one another? What does it say when we no longer allow the spirit to draw me he wills to Christ?
4. Our acceptance or denial of the truth that stands before us as Christians to become of one accord in our faith and love of Christ is a key factor in our power of witness to those who do not yet believe. Is our desire to control the outcome of our efforts so key today that we no longer become diminished so that Christ can be glorified?
5. The final and most important question for us today in our churches must be asked. Do we find ourselves in the same place spiritually as his church that we were created to be in by Christ? Are we poised to become the bride of Christ that we should be? If our answer is yes then who is it among us that will be favored above the rest?
Our very spiritual lives should reflect the answers to these questions and many others as well. It is time to ask ourselves things that cause ponds and reflection upon what we do in this life to causes God to believe that we are really his children. My question to you is where do you stand in the light of truth Now? May you ritually bless God through your life in him.
THE UNWORTHY SERVANT
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