I'm picking up with our examination of Romans 12 by focusing on the second exhortation delivered in the 12th verse. Last time we considered Paul's encouragement to remain joy-filled as the result of our hope in Christ Jesus. Today we find the Apostle telling us to be patient in affliction. Essentially he is saying "don't get carried away when tough times come your way." And tough times will certainly pass your way sometime during your life. A pastor I worked with years ago told me, "Ken, if you haven't had any storms to come your way so far, you better hang on, because your time is coming." He was correct! Life is filled with difficult circumstances and difficult people.
As a minister as well as being a student of life . . . an observer of what goes on around me . . . I have seen many people respond to some of the harshest realities of life -- the death of a spouse, a child, or a parent. The discovery that a son or daughter is addicted to illegal drugs. The devastation of learning that a spouse has been unfaithful. You find out much about a person by how they respond to adversity and sorrow. Some people become so upset they literally cannot think straight or make reasonable decisions, while others face the same kinds of situations with a strength of character and the ability to minister to others even though their own hearts must be breaking. Where does one find such strength?
I would immediately assure you that it is not based upon the personal power of the person, but is the result of the indwelling presence of God's Spirit in that person's life. Every Christian, every true believer in and follower of Jesus Christ, has the Holy Spirit of God living in them. This is the promise of God's Word in numerous passages - that God's indwelling presence is permanent for the true believer, and the power of the Holy Spirit is available to any believer to face and overcome every obstacle, every sorrow that might come our way.
Whenever the tough times arrive the Lord Jesus wants us to meet those challenges head on and come out victorious. It doesn't mean that all the problems will go away (some never do), but we should never underestimate what God can do simply to bring glory and honor to himself. What should you do when trouble comes: pray for guidance, ask for the power to stand up the attacks on your body or spirit, look for ways to minister to someone else who is hurting. One of the most therapeutic things we can do is to lay aside our own hurt so as to minister to someone else who needs a caring, loving friend.
Seek to draw closer to the Lord each day and try to look at life's challenges as opportunities rather than problems. With a new heart comes a new attitude which can make all the difference in the world.
Saturday, July 31, 2010
Thursday, July 29, 2010
There's reason for hope!
I am continuing today with an examination of Romans 12 and how it teaches us to behave as a Christian. Verse 12 gives three actions or attitudes consistent with the Christlike life. Let's briefly look at the first. Paul exhorts the reader to live rejoicing in hope.
Hope is such a precious possession. To live without hope must be the most pitiful existence. My mother had a severe stroke over four years ago. She has had to live in a nursing home ever since dragging herself around in a wheelchair by one foot due to a paralyzed right side, unable to speak or read because that portion of her brain which allows for such activity was obviously damaged severely by the stroke. After all this time it is evident that there is no hope for recovery. And yet there is hope, and that is what calls for rejoicing.
In 1 Peter 3:15 the former fisherman who was chosen by Jesus to give leadership to the Apostles was writing to a group of Christians dispersed by intense persecution, and he says: always be ready to give a defense to everyone who asks you a reason for the hope that is in you. What is that "defense" which explains why there is hope? It is simple . . . I believe that Jesus Christ, God in the flesh, died on the cross of Calvary to atone for the sins of myself and all mankind, rose three days later from the grave proving His power over death and hell, ascended to heaven, and will return one day to take to heaven all who have believed to live with Him eternally. My hope lies in that promise!
Some would say that this hope is based upon foolishness. The Apostle Paul wrote to the church in Corinth in his first epistle (letter): For the message of the cross is foolishness to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God . . . God was pleased through the foolishness of what was preached to save those who believe (1 Corinthians 1:18, 21b). It is so tragic that most of the world has no real hope about what will happen to them when they draw their last breath. Then, there are those who hope to return as a cow or a tree or simply a wisp of wind. Only Christianity offers the hope of eternal life based upon the merciful and gracious act of a holy God!
Is that your hope? If not, it can be yours by simply trusting that Christ alone is our reason for hope, and receiving the gift of eternal life which He freely offers. Do this and know the joy that comes through possessing true hope!
Hope is such a precious possession. To live without hope must be the most pitiful existence. My mother had a severe stroke over four years ago. She has had to live in a nursing home ever since dragging herself around in a wheelchair by one foot due to a paralyzed right side, unable to speak or read because that portion of her brain which allows for such activity was obviously damaged severely by the stroke. After all this time it is evident that there is no hope for recovery. And yet there is hope, and that is what calls for rejoicing.
In 1 Peter 3:15 the former fisherman who was chosen by Jesus to give leadership to the Apostles was writing to a group of Christians dispersed by intense persecution, and he says: always be ready to give a defense to everyone who asks you a reason for the hope that is in you. What is that "defense" which explains why there is hope? It is simple . . . I believe that Jesus Christ, God in the flesh, died on the cross of Calvary to atone for the sins of myself and all mankind, rose three days later from the grave proving His power over death and hell, ascended to heaven, and will return one day to take to heaven all who have believed to live with Him eternally. My hope lies in that promise!
Some would say that this hope is based upon foolishness. The Apostle Paul wrote to the church in Corinth in his first epistle (letter): For the message of the cross is foolishness to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God . . . God was pleased through the foolishness of what was preached to save those who believe (1 Corinthians 1:18, 21b). It is so tragic that most of the world has no real hope about what will happen to them when they draw their last breath. Then, there are those who hope to return as a cow or a tree or simply a wisp of wind. Only Christianity offers the hope of eternal life based upon the merciful and gracious act of a holy God!
Is that your hope? If not, it can be yours by simply trusting that Christ alone is our reason for hope, and receiving the gift of eternal life which He freely offers. Do this and know the joy that comes through possessing true hope!
Tuesday, July 27, 2010
Give it all you got!
Servanthood could be considered the ultimate hallmark of the Christian life. Jesus' life was all about service. He even said . . .the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve . . . (Matthew 20:28) If Christlikeness is our goal then living a life of service has to be a priority for us.
The 12th chapter of Romans, which we are continuing to examine, is all about service. It begins in verse one with:
I pick up today with verse 11 of the 12th chapter in my recent series of posts on living like a Christian. Verses 9 through 21 are a string of exhortations by Paul to believers giving them various actions and attitudes which are consistent with a life lived in service of the Lord. Verse 11 tells us:
One of the reasons I write this blog is to hopefully capture the minds of other, if just for a moment, in order to encourage a deeper level of thought (and maybe commitment). Writing also "redeems the time" for me.
Paul goes on to exhort believers to keep your spiritual fervor. This word "fervor" or "fervent" pictures the boiling or bubbling of water or metals. It is referring to an intensity or a glow. A Christian's life should be lived with an intensity for serving God. Our lives should glow with a zeal for obeying and serving the King of kings and Lord of lords, the One who through His mercy gave us eternal life. Our lives can be lived doing a lot of things, but the greatest pursuit we can engage in is to bring honor and glory to the Lord Jesus Christ. Quite literally, that is what we were created for!
The 12th chapter of Romans, which we are continuing to examine, is all about service. It begins in verse one with:
Therefore, I urge you , brothers, in view of God's mercy, to offer your bodies as living sacrifices, holy and pleasing to God -- this is your spiritual act of worship. (12:1, NIV)In the New King James the last phrase in verse one reads, which is your reasonable service. This verse is simply saying that based upon the mercy God has shown us it is only reasonable that we respond to Him ready to serve as He directs. The Apostle Paul often refers to himself as the "slave" or "bondservant" of Christ, relegating himself to a position of complete submission before the Lord. Considering how Jesus had saved him from the sins he had committed and restored him to a right relationship with God, Paul had no qualms about giving his life completely to Him, even if it meant death.
I pick up today with verse 11 of the 12th chapter in my recent series of posts on living like a Christian. Verses 9 through 21 are a string of exhortations by Paul to believers giving them various actions and attitudes which are consistent with a life lived in service of the Lord. Verse 11 tells us:
Never be lacking in zeal, but keep your spiritual fervor, serving the Lord. (NIV)The first part of this verse is sometimes translated "don't be slothful" or "be diligent". It gives the idea that Christians are to be industrious, not wasting time on pursuits that really don't accomplish much and don't bring glory to God. I think that most of us would have to admit that many of our activities aren't profitable uses of our time. One main thing comes to mind (or should I say numbs it) . . . television. The "idiot box" as it is sometimes refered to can be a total waste of time. Oh, there are some good things to watch (when you search hard for it) but most of the programming is a waste, if not even harmful. Today, the internet rivals the television in this category. However, it can be used for good!
One of the reasons I write this blog is to hopefully capture the minds of other, if just for a moment, in order to encourage a deeper level of thought (and maybe commitment). Writing also "redeems the time" for me.
Paul goes on to exhort believers to keep your spiritual fervor. This word "fervor" or "fervent" pictures the boiling or bubbling of water or metals. It is referring to an intensity or a glow. A Christian's life should be lived with an intensity for serving God. Our lives should glow with a zeal for obeying and serving the King of kings and Lord of lords, the One who through His mercy gave us eternal life. Our lives can be lived doing a lot of things, but the greatest pursuit we can engage in is to bring honor and glory to the Lord Jesus Christ. Quite literally, that is what we were created for!
Sunday, July 25, 2010
Can you put me before yourself?
The 12th chapter of Paul's epistle (letter) to the Roman church includes a passage on how to behave as a Christian, in other words, how to be "Christlike" which should be the goal of every believer. In previous posts we have looked at the two exhortations in verse 9:
1. Love must be sincere, and
2. Hate what is evil, cling to what is good.
Now we move to the third behavior Paul says should be lived out in our lives. Romans 12:10 says, Be devoted to one another in brotherly love. Honor one another above yourselves.
Most people would go along, at least somewhat, with the first part of this verse. Brotherly love sounds pretty appealing and people generally would like to get along with everyone. The city of Philadelphia even calls itself the City of Brotherly Love (the Greek word philio means "love" in a brotherly sort of way). Now, just how "devoted" to brotherly love people truly are is another question. And when you add the second part of the verse to it a vast majority of folks would either look at you with a blank stare, or perhaps respond with a giggle or a snort . . . "Yea, sure. I'll put you and your needs ahead of my own."
Christianity, if anything, is truly a radical approach to living, because we are called out to live our lives in the way Jesus modeled for us. Think about it! Jesus never worried with owning property or accumulating wealth. It wasn't a priority to make a comfortable living for Himself. He wouldn't bother with eating or resting when someone came to Him with a real need. He washed the feet of His followers like a slave would have done his master. He sacrificed His life so that others could know abundant and eternal life. Jesus came to serve, not to be served! And so the Apostle Paul teaches the church to devotedly love one another -- to extend grace to one another as Christ has extended it to us, and to honor one another above ourselves -- to be more concerned with bringing recognition and praise to our brother or sister than that which we receive.
Can you imagine what our world would be like if people fulfilled this exhortation . . . if even just the Church would do it? If we sought the best for our fellow man, and stopped worrying with who gets credit for the good that is done, the world would be a much better place! Washington D.C. would certainly be different! But it will never happen until we become obedient to the Lord. What most people misunderstand about Christianity is that when we are commanded by God's Word to "give something up" it simply opens the door to bountiful blessings! God will not bless disobedience, but He will pour out an abundance on those who live out their faith in obedience. In this case God is telling us that giving up the desire to rise above our neighbor will actually raise us all to a new level.
Allow me to let you in on something I have been learning over time . . . the more I choose to live as a servant the sweeter life becomes. A person with a true servant's heart doesn't worry about what he doesn't have, and as a result he is never dissatisfied or feels unappreciated. He simply lives each day with gratitude toward a gracious Lord and is thankful for one more chance to serve.
1. Love must be sincere, and
2. Hate what is evil, cling to what is good.
Now we move to the third behavior Paul says should be lived out in our lives. Romans 12:10 says, Be devoted to one another in brotherly love. Honor one another above yourselves.
Most people would go along, at least somewhat, with the first part of this verse. Brotherly love sounds pretty appealing and people generally would like to get along with everyone. The city of Philadelphia even calls itself the City of Brotherly Love (the Greek word philio means "love" in a brotherly sort of way). Now, just how "devoted" to brotherly love people truly are is another question. And when you add the second part of the verse to it a vast majority of folks would either look at you with a blank stare, or perhaps respond with a giggle or a snort . . . "Yea, sure. I'll put you and your needs ahead of my own."
Christianity, if anything, is truly a radical approach to living, because we are called out to live our lives in the way Jesus modeled for us. Think about it! Jesus never worried with owning property or accumulating wealth. It wasn't a priority to make a comfortable living for Himself. He wouldn't bother with eating or resting when someone came to Him with a real need. He washed the feet of His followers like a slave would have done his master. He sacrificed His life so that others could know abundant and eternal life. Jesus came to serve, not to be served! And so the Apostle Paul teaches the church to devotedly love one another -- to extend grace to one another as Christ has extended it to us, and to honor one another above ourselves -- to be more concerned with bringing recognition and praise to our brother or sister than that which we receive.
Can you imagine what our world would be like if people fulfilled this exhortation . . . if even just the Church would do it? If we sought the best for our fellow man, and stopped worrying with who gets credit for the good that is done, the world would be a much better place! Washington D.C. would certainly be different! But it will never happen until we become obedient to the Lord. What most people misunderstand about Christianity is that when we are commanded by God's Word to "give something up" it simply opens the door to bountiful blessings! God will not bless disobedience, but He will pour out an abundance on those who live out their faith in obedience. In this case God is telling us that giving up the desire to rise above our neighbor will actually raise us all to a new level.
Allow me to let you in on something I have been learning over time . . . the more I choose to live as a servant the sweeter life becomes. A person with a true servant's heart doesn't worry about what he doesn't have, and as a result he is never dissatisfied or feels unappreciated. He simply lives each day with gratitude toward a gracious Lord and is thankful for one more chance to serve.
Friday, July 23, 2010
It Has Become So Mixed Up!
Does the world seem upside-down . . . twisted and perverted? It sure does to me! And I know why. We have come to love the wrong things!
Romans 12:9b (the second part of that verse) says this: Hate what is evil; cling to what is good. (NIV) That is God's strong exhortation to us all, but we have obviously failed to heed what He says. It isn't like this is the only time He tries to teach His people about this. In Psalm 52 David is speaking about one who betrayed him to an enemy when he says, You love evil more than good, and he goes on to describe the judgment that awaits such a person. The prophet Isaiah decried the actions of his people by saying, Woe to those who call evil good, and good evil, who put darkness for light, and light for darkness . . . Woe to those who are wise in their own eyes, and prudent in their own sight! (Isaiah 5:20-21)
Oh how we have allowed deception to creep in and blot out the light of truth! The people of our nation (and the world), even many who call themselves Christian, have abandoned what God says is good and taken residence in the slums of evil. Joe Wright, Pastor of the Central Christian Church in Wichita, Kansas, was asked to pray an invocation at the Kansas State House on January 24, 1996. His prayer (actually written by Bob Russell of Louisville) caused quite a stir and even was featured several times by radio commentator Paul Harvey. At the conclusion of the prayer several house members walked out in protest. Here is the prayer:
Heavenly Father, we come before You today to ask Your forgiveness and seek Your direction and guidance. We know Your Word says, 'Woe to those who call good evil,' but that's exactly what we have done. We have lost our Spiritual equilibrium and inverted our values. We confess that, we have ridiculed the absolute truth of Your Word and called it Pluralism; we have worshipped other gods and called it multiculturalism; we have endorsed perversion and called it an alternative lifestyle; we have exploited the poor ad called it the lottery; we have neglected the needy and called it self-preservation; we have rewarded laziness and called it welfare; we have killed our unborn and called it choice; we have shot abortionists and called it justifiable; we have neglected to discipline our children and called it building self-esteem; we have abused power and called it political savvy; we have coveted our neighbor's possessions and called it ambition; we have polluted the air with profanity and pornography and called it freedom of expression; we have ridiculed the time-honored values of our forefathers and called it enlightenment. Search us, O God, and know our hearts today; try us and see if there be some wicked way in us; cleanse us from every sin and set us free. Guide and bless these men and women who have been sent here by the people of this state and who have been ordained by You to govern this great state of Kansas. Grant them your wisdom to rule and may their decisions direct us to the center of Your will.
How I pray that the people of this nation, this entire world, would one day fall upon our knees and confess our sins, individual and corporate, and beg the God of all creation to forgive and to heal. Then, and only then, will we see things reversed and the Word of God revered for what it truly is. Lord, send a revival, and let it begin in me!
Romans 12:9b (the second part of that verse) says this: Hate what is evil; cling to what is good. (NIV) That is God's strong exhortation to us all, but we have obviously failed to heed what He says. It isn't like this is the only time He tries to teach His people about this. In Psalm 52 David is speaking about one who betrayed him to an enemy when he says, You love evil more than good, and he goes on to describe the judgment that awaits such a person. The prophet Isaiah decried the actions of his people by saying, Woe to those who call evil good, and good evil, who put darkness for light, and light for darkness . . . Woe to those who are wise in their own eyes, and prudent in their own sight! (Isaiah 5:20-21)
Oh how we have allowed deception to creep in and blot out the light of truth! The people of our nation (and the world), even many who call themselves Christian, have abandoned what God says is good and taken residence in the slums of evil. Joe Wright, Pastor of the Central Christian Church in Wichita, Kansas, was asked to pray an invocation at the Kansas State House on January 24, 1996. His prayer (actually written by Bob Russell of Louisville) caused quite a stir and even was featured several times by radio commentator Paul Harvey. At the conclusion of the prayer several house members walked out in protest. Here is the prayer:
Heavenly Father, we come before You today to ask Your forgiveness and seek Your direction and guidance. We know Your Word says, 'Woe to those who call good evil,' but that's exactly what we have done. We have lost our Spiritual equilibrium and inverted our values. We confess that, we have ridiculed the absolute truth of Your Word and called it Pluralism; we have worshipped other gods and called it multiculturalism; we have endorsed perversion and called it an alternative lifestyle; we have exploited the poor ad called it the lottery; we have neglected the needy and called it self-preservation; we have rewarded laziness and called it welfare; we have killed our unborn and called it choice; we have shot abortionists and called it justifiable; we have neglected to discipline our children and called it building self-esteem; we have abused power and called it political savvy; we have coveted our neighbor's possessions and called it ambition; we have polluted the air with profanity and pornography and called it freedom of expression; we have ridiculed the time-honored values of our forefathers and called it enlightenment. Search us, O God, and know our hearts today; try us and see if there be some wicked way in us; cleanse us from every sin and set us free. Guide and bless these men and women who have been sent here by the people of this state and who have been ordained by You to govern this great state of Kansas. Grant them your wisdom to rule and may their decisions direct us to the center of Your will.
How I pray that the people of this nation, this entire world, would one day fall upon our knees and confess our sins, individual and corporate, and beg the God of all creation to forgive and to heal. Then, and only then, will we see things reversed and the Word of God revered for what it truly is. Lord, send a revival, and let it begin in me!
Wednesday, July 21, 2010
Make It Real!
Over the next several posts I want to think about what the 12th chapter of Romans says about living as a Christian. I begin with the first part of verse 9 -- Love must be sincere (NIV).
Have you ever noticed how kids seem to be able to sense when someone is a fake or if they are for real? And when they sense that a person (particularly an adult) is sincere in their love and caring that child grabs hold of them and loves them right back! At our church we have a child care ministry that services over 100 families (about 125 kids). Most do not attend our church, though we hope to bring more of the unchurched families into our fellowship. Occasionally I will go to where the children are and spend a little time interacting with them. Sometimes it is playing ball with them in the gym or playfully call the boys by the girls' names and girls by the boys' names (they think Bro. Ken is so mixed up sometimes). There is rarely a time when many of the children don't rush up and want a hug. Why? Because they sense that I care about them. They believe I am sincere.
What is sincere love? Perhaps the best description in the Bible is found in 1 Corinthians 13. It is a lengthy passage so I won't print it here, but I encourage you to read it. As you do, think also of where it is found in 1 Corinthians. Chapters 12 and 14 both speak to spiritual gifts, that is, the God-given abilities which motivate us and enable us to minister. And lo and behold, right in the middle of that writing about these gifts is a whole chapter on LOVE. The Apostle Paul was telling the early church that all of these spiritual gifts are wonderful, but until they are used in love they are pretty much useless. Love is the indicator that the use of these gifts are sincerely used to glorify God rather than ourselves. And guess what . . . Romans 12:9 follows right on the heels of a passage about serving God with spiritual gifts (verses 3-8).
The New King James translates Romans 12:9 -- Let love be without hypocrisy. Love isn't really love unless it is expressed with the desire to bless and edify another person. If an action is taken with a self-serving motive then it isn't an act of love. Let me encourage you to love those around you . . . and let's be real!
Have you ever noticed how kids seem to be able to sense when someone is a fake or if they are for real? And when they sense that a person (particularly an adult) is sincere in their love and caring that child grabs hold of them and loves them right back! At our church we have a child care ministry that services over 100 families (about 125 kids). Most do not attend our church, though we hope to bring more of the unchurched families into our fellowship. Occasionally I will go to where the children are and spend a little time interacting with them. Sometimes it is playing ball with them in the gym or playfully call the boys by the girls' names and girls by the boys' names (they think Bro. Ken is so mixed up sometimes). There is rarely a time when many of the children don't rush up and want a hug. Why? Because they sense that I care about them. They believe I am sincere.
What is sincere love? Perhaps the best description in the Bible is found in 1 Corinthians 13. It is a lengthy passage so I won't print it here, but I encourage you to read it. As you do, think also of where it is found in 1 Corinthians. Chapters 12 and 14 both speak to spiritual gifts, that is, the God-given abilities which motivate us and enable us to minister. And lo and behold, right in the middle of that writing about these gifts is a whole chapter on LOVE. The Apostle Paul was telling the early church that all of these spiritual gifts are wonderful, but until they are used in love they are pretty much useless. Love is the indicator that the use of these gifts are sincerely used to glorify God rather than ourselves. And guess what . . . Romans 12:9 follows right on the heels of a passage about serving God with spiritual gifts (verses 3-8).
The New King James translates Romans 12:9 -- Let love be without hypocrisy. Love isn't really love unless it is expressed with the desire to bless and edify another person. If an action is taken with a self-serving motive then it isn't an act of love. Let me encourage you to love those around you . . . and let's be real!
Monday, July 19, 2010
Why Aren't We Different?
Well, I took a little time away from my blog to go on a mission trip to Wise, Virginia. After that was a few days of scrambling to prepare for a few days off (which I am now enjoying). I hope to take time to write several posts during these days.
Something which concerns me greatly, and I believe to be a tremendous hindrance to the effective work of God's Kingdom, is the un-Christian behavior of so many of those who call themselves Christian. Numerous scientific surveys agree with what I have observed -- most Christians (church members) live no differently from those who do not claim belief in Christ and are not interested in being a part of the Church. The divorce rate among church members is virtually the same as that of the unchurched. Teens raised in the church are as sexually active as those not raised in the church. Strife and ill-will among church members have robbed most churches of their effectiveness. This is so tragic! It is shameful! And, it is so terribly harmful to the cause of Christ!
Why is this happening? I see two primary reasons. First, our church membership rolls are filled with people who have never had a true salvation experience and are just as lost now as they were before joining a church.
You may be thinking, "Ken, that sounds pretty harsh and very judgmental." The truth is sometimes very harsh, and the "judge not" crowd are theologically uninformed. I am not alone in this assessment of today's Church. A number of years ago Billy Graham, the great evangelist for God for our generation, proclaimed that he believed that at least 80% of the membership in Christian churches are "lost" (without a saving relationship with Christ). Eighty percent! How could he make such a statement? Isn't that being judgmental? Graham could make such a statement simply by looking at the lifestyles of most church members. They do not reflect the kind of lives the Bible says is consistent with those who are indwelled by God's Holy Spirit. Read what the Apostle Paul wrote to the church at Galatia:
Now the works of the flesh are evident, which are: adultery, fornication, uncleanness, lewdness, idolatry, sorcery (drug abuse), hatred, contentions, jealousies, outbursts of wrath, selfish ambitions, dissensions, heresies, envy, murders, drunkenness, revelries, and the like: of which I tell you beforehand, just as I also told you in time past, that those who practice such things will not inherit the kingdom of god. But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control. (5:19-23)
Those who practice such things (verses 19-21) will not inherit the kingdom of God. Whether you are a church member or not, if these works of the flesh (evil deeds) are a way of life (practice) for you then you are giving evidence of an unredeemed, unforgiven spirit. Church membership is not the equivalent of salvation. Salvation is the result of confessing our sin to the Lord, trusting that what He did on the cross of Calvary was the only sufficient sacrifice for our sin, and committing to follow Jesus as our Lord.
The conclusion: those who do not demonstrate the reality of the fruit of the Spirit in their lives act like they do because they do not have a life-changing relationship with Jesus Christ! A church member who doesn't act any differently from those who don't claim to be Christian is in all likelihood just as lost.
A second reason why so many church members don't act differently is that many, though being saved, they have really never grown much in their spiritual lives. As Paul would say, these believers are still taking only spiritual milk and have never moved on to the meat! They believe, but have never sought to grow in the spiritual disciplines which are required for developing a "Christ-like" lifestyle. Such believers usually are weak and often cave in to the pressures to conform to this world rather than to stand firmly in the standards set forth by Jesus. Romans 12:2 exhorts the believer . . . And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God.
What about you? Does your life reflect a real and vibrant relationship with Jesus? Are you truly different from those who do not know Jesus as Lord and Savior? If not, a life-changing relationship awaits you if only you will follow the One who created you and has a significant purpose for your life.
Something which concerns me greatly, and I believe to be a tremendous hindrance to the effective work of God's Kingdom, is the un-Christian behavior of so many of those who call themselves Christian. Numerous scientific surveys agree with what I have observed -- most Christians (church members) live no differently from those who do not claim belief in Christ and are not interested in being a part of the Church. The divorce rate among church members is virtually the same as that of the unchurched. Teens raised in the church are as sexually active as those not raised in the church. Strife and ill-will among church members have robbed most churches of their effectiveness. This is so tragic! It is shameful! And, it is so terribly harmful to the cause of Christ!
Why is this happening? I see two primary reasons. First, our church membership rolls are filled with people who have never had a true salvation experience and are just as lost now as they were before joining a church.
You may be thinking, "Ken, that sounds pretty harsh and very judgmental." The truth is sometimes very harsh, and the "judge not" crowd are theologically uninformed. I am not alone in this assessment of today's Church. A number of years ago Billy Graham, the great evangelist for God for our generation, proclaimed that he believed that at least 80% of the membership in Christian churches are "lost" (without a saving relationship with Christ). Eighty percent! How could he make such a statement? Isn't that being judgmental? Graham could make such a statement simply by looking at the lifestyles of most church members. They do not reflect the kind of lives the Bible says is consistent with those who are indwelled by God's Holy Spirit. Read what the Apostle Paul wrote to the church at Galatia:
Now the works of the flesh are evident, which are: adultery, fornication, uncleanness, lewdness, idolatry, sorcery (drug abuse), hatred, contentions, jealousies, outbursts of wrath, selfish ambitions, dissensions, heresies, envy, murders, drunkenness, revelries, and the like: of which I tell you beforehand, just as I also told you in time past, that those who practice such things will not inherit the kingdom of god. But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control. (5:19-23)
Those who practice such things (verses 19-21) will not inherit the kingdom of God. Whether you are a church member or not, if these works of the flesh (evil deeds) are a way of life (practice) for you then you are giving evidence of an unredeemed, unforgiven spirit. Church membership is not the equivalent of salvation. Salvation is the result of confessing our sin to the Lord, trusting that what He did on the cross of Calvary was the only sufficient sacrifice for our sin, and committing to follow Jesus as our Lord.
The conclusion: those who do not demonstrate the reality of the fruit of the Spirit in their lives act like they do because they do not have a life-changing relationship with Jesus Christ! A church member who doesn't act any differently from those who don't claim to be Christian is in all likelihood just as lost.
A second reason why so many church members don't act differently is that many, though being saved, they have really never grown much in their spiritual lives. As Paul would say, these believers are still taking only spiritual milk and have never moved on to the meat! They believe, but have never sought to grow in the spiritual disciplines which are required for developing a "Christ-like" lifestyle. Such believers usually are weak and often cave in to the pressures to conform to this world rather than to stand firmly in the standards set forth by Jesus. Romans 12:2 exhorts the believer . . . And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God.
What about you? Does your life reflect a real and vibrant relationship with Jesus? Are you truly different from those who do not know Jesus as Lord and Savior? If not, a life-changing relationship awaits you if only you will follow the One who created you and has a significant purpose for your life.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)