July 23, 2012:  Passive Christianity?

I listen to a lot of Christian music on the radio.  It helps keep me upbeat, positive and a little more focused on God.  There’s a song that’s been on the airwaves for awhile that has a catchy refrain but the more I think about it, the more I think it’s missing the point of being a Christian.  Here are the words to the refrain.  (I believe the group is Building 429, but can’t remember the name of the song.  My apologies to the band if I’ve mistaken them for another group.)

 

            “All I know is I’m not home yet

            This is not where I belong

            Take this world and give me Jesus

            I am not where I belong.”

While I like the idea that they’re choosing Jesus over the world, the rest of the words make me think of someone who’s retreated from the world and is only waiting to die or for Christ’s return.  What happened to Matthew 5:14-16?  “You are the light of the world. A city that is set on a hill cannot be hidden.  Nor do they light a lamp and put it under a basket, but on a lampstand, and it gives light to all who are in the house.  Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works and glorify your Father in heaven.”  And what about the “Great Commission” found in Matthew 28:18-20?  “And Jesus came and spoke to them, saying ‘All authority has been given to Me in heaven and on earth.  Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe the things I have commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age.’  Amen.”

There’s nothing in either of those statements that can be interpreted as, “Sit tight, chill.  Don't do anything.  I gotta go up to heaven for a little while, but I’ll be back for you shortly.”  Although I do have to say that I can understand where they’re coming from!  When I consider the world around me, there’s a strong urge to grab my lampshade and hide out until I hear that trumpet sound!  But, I believe in a God of purpose.  I believe in a God who sees the end from the beginning and who prepared the plan for mankind’s salvation before He ever created the world.  I believe in a God who has given me skills and abilities to fulfill His plan for my life.  And I believe He has a plan for everyone.  Even you!

I also believe that it is precisely at times like these when Christians everywhere need to rise up and show the world the tangible Love of Christ that lives in us!  So how about if we throw off the rags and the cares of this life and reveal the Peace and the Hope that we have in Christ to a world hungry for the real thing!

Post for July 6, 2012:  For, Against, or With

It wasn’t too long after I came back to Christ that I decided I wanted to “do something great for God”.  My motives were good, my ideas were biblically based, and my heart was sincere, but nothing really happened the way I envisioned it.  I was frustrated and discouraged, but I didn’t quit the church because I knew in my heart, even as Peter responded in John 6:68 after many of Jesus’ disciples had left him and Jesus himself said to the twelve. “Do you also want to go away?”   Peter answered Him, “Lord, to whom shall we go?  You have the words of eternal life.”, (NKJV).  However, I did withdraw into myself and pretty much limited my involvement in ministry to prayer and financial contributions.  The thought of stepping out for God was quickly squashed by the memories of past failures.

Has that ever happened to any of you or am I the only one?  If so, how did you respond?

Something that has only recently become really clear to me is that when I say I want to “do something great for God”, if I haven’t sought His desire, His plan for my life, then I’m stepping out of His Grace and Empowerment and trying to do it on my own strength.  Now if I do something on my own, I may have some results, but they won’t be supernatural because it’s my effort and in essence, my attempt to glorify myself before Him through my works.  God will not honor or support that.  As He says in Isaiah 42:8, “I am the Lord; that is My name; and My Glory I will not give to another,…”  I don’t know that He actively opposes such actions, but His support and His Presence will be lacking and you will know that He is not with you. 

When you come right down to it, there really is nothing we can do for God in our own strength.  We couldn’t keep God’s commandments on our own and we sure couldn’t redeem ourselves from the curse of the law.  God had to send Christ to fulfill the law and be mankind’s propitiation for sin.   As Paul says in Ephesians 2:8-9, “For by grace you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God, not of works lest anyone should boast.”  But here’s the encouraging part!  Reading on in verse 10, Paul says, “For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand that we should walk in them.”  Isn’t that cool?!  God already has something for us that we have been specifically equipped and prepared for! 

So here’s the deal.  If you want to do something great for God, try doing something great with God.  Partner with the Creator of the Universe and see where it takes you!  I know it will be far beyond what we can think or imagine!  And just in case some doubt tries to sneak in there, remember that as believers, we are the righteousness of God in Christ Jesus (2Cor. 5:21) and we can do all things through Christ who strengthens us (Phil. 4:13)!

Be Blessed!