Faith

You know those kind of people who claim to be Christians - they believe in Jesus, they pray and read their Bible everyday, they go to church at least once a week, they may even serve in a ministry and pray for other's salvations... but they don't personally trust God, or believe all of His Word or His character? I'm related to one of these "Christians", and we often butt-heads over daily and common situations because she lives her life in her set theology, trapped in her circumstances, defeated and broken, and whenever I try to remind her of what God's Word actually says - she dismisses me with a mighty swoop of judgement.

Here's another one - Christians that are so afraid of being seen as "above the masses", or self righteous, that they dive into carnality to "appear human" to others. They avoid being spiritual, because they would have to be led by Someone they can't control, and they focus on being practical to hide their lack of dependancy on God. Pastors are like that all the time, they want to be accessable and relatable to their congregation, but instead of showing them a better way - they show their people that they are just as weak instead - and that that's normal. Now don't get me wrong - all in the body of Christ are loved and viewed equally by God, and everyone without Christ is unable to please God or be saved. We all have MUCH growing to do. Pastors, teachers, apostles, prophets, evangelists, even deacons ought to be transparent, open and honest, and also have a close accountability with each other within each church. But we are all at different levels of maturity, and the goal isn't to rest in or take comfort in our immaturity and say "well, that's just the way I am", but instead to strive towards maturity - those in church leadership should be above their congregation in maturity, and faithful in serving them and God. Mistakes happen, but excuses shouldn't. Everyone is given a different gift and call, but we are all given a measure of faith and it is up to us to develop that faith. The reality is that in ourselves alone - we are weak, we are powerless and small, we are all plagued by a fallen world - but in Christ, we have the ability to live the life of Christ in a real living way!

Or what about the Christians who get so dishearted by the circumstances they are presently in, that they fail to see that maybe God is working in them for His purposes? And rather than simply asking God what is it that is really going on, they try to fix the situation themselves out of their own power - which is faulty, because we're all only human on our own strength. And then in their own efforts, they hinder God's working and prolong their own agony. Why aren't we as believers living out an intimacy with God that so permeates our very beings that we are mighty forces that the world and Satan fears to contend with? If Jesus said that we would do the things He did and even greater things, why are we still stumbling over ourselves and unable to even live out the Word in our own lives? And after that, how can we do ministry out in the world when we can't even minister to our own spouces and children?

Is it a pharisaical spirit, a hard-heartedness, or a human logic idolatry that causes this condition? Maybe a little of each or maybe it's different for each who suffer with it. Either way - what is the solution, or what is the result? Are these types of "believers" even actually saved? Ok - that's a judgemental expression, so I'll reask the question. Sure they may very well are saved - because of their faith in Christ Jesus and his atoning sacrifice and God's grace, but are these individuals fulfilling their purpose in life or acheiving all they can in Christ? I'd say, NOPE. And these types are probably getting in the way of others doing so in the process. I know my particular relative certainly does all she can to discourage my faith, without realizing it, and maybe thinking she's trying to help me. Who knows? Anyway, I pray for her, and try not to receive her human logic as much as possible.

I got to say - what ever happened to Christians actually just reading and studying their Bible, and lining up with it? After all, it's Truth - it's the very Word of God, and it reveals God's character. What ever happened to Christians actually depending on the Holy Spirit and spending intimate time with God? If we humbled ourselves to God and allowed the Holy Spirit to guide us into all truth, teaching us the Word, the will of God, the living voice of God, and allowed Him to work in and through us - not only would the Church be in unity, doctrinally and spiritually, but we would be a powerful force throughout the world.

I know it's far easier said than done - to lay ourselves out on the altar for God to melt us down and reconstruct us the way He wants, to police our old nature to stay up on that cross so that the new creation can live out the life of Christ. It's hard to let go of something good or desirable, even to pick up something better - but when we are filled with the Holy Spirit, we have that ability and more. Why are we Christians living our lives played and abused by Satan, hiding behind our comfort zones, and getting kicked around when we are no longer slaves, but children of the Most High God Almighty?!?! We are losing ground in our daily battles in a war that is already won - how lame is that? When GOD comes before everything else in our lives - and Christ becomes our life, everything else lines up by the power of the Holy Spirit. It is so sad that we have been graced for so long, and we are still in this infant condition. It's time for us to grow up!