How deep is your life in Christ? Is it lacking depth or feel superficial sometimes? Having the unique opportunity to be involved in ministry everyday, I get the chance to peer into peoples spiritual lives. It's hard to believe, but there are so many that have such a shallow acquaintance with God and yet have the arrogance to think that they are a blessing to Gods' ministry. I'm amazed at peoples ability to take ownership over the most stupid things and fight for it as if Jesus had died for it and not us. Kansas said it best:
“And if I claim to be a wise man, well, It surely means that I don't know.”
Is it so easy to attack others beliefs so as to avoid examining our own? I mean, we are right and they are wrong so they must be told, right? I just have to say that sometimes I'm so disgusted by the way Christians act, so arrogant and self righteous , that I feel like I should apologize to someone for the way they act. How did we get so shallow? Is your faith in Christ simply skin deep?
You, my brothers, were called to be free. But do not use your freedom to indulge the sinful nature; rather, serve one another in love. The entire law is summed up in a single command: "Love your neighbor as yourself." Galatians 5:13-14
Really? Serve one another? Love your neighbor as you would want to be loved? That means it doesn't matter whether a guy is an atheist, gay or been divorced even though you know it's wrong. That means it doesn't matter how a church service should or shouldn't look like. That means, the way you think it should be done, or how important you think it is to have a certain spiritual gift and whether or not you use it enough, doesn't matter. That means through all the religious nonsense and bits and pieces we want to call our own and die for, don't stand for squat in comparison to serving eachother in love. Just because it's not right doesn't mean it's time to form a mob! Let it go people! Stop running around trying to make sure you understand it all or putting out pointless fires. It's time to go back to basics.
1. It's time to start loving people unconditionally again. That means loving people and not expecting anything in return as well as loving them no matter how wrong they are. We have to release the joy we have for the father we follow and stop worrying about whether or not Christianity is serving us like it should.
2. It's time to make sure other people know who God is and the benefits of a journey with him. Have we got so comfortable in the fact that we found God that we have forgotten that someone told us in the first place? We have to stop worrying about raising people from the dead, speaking in tongues, getting the books of the bible memorized or shopping only at the “good Christian store”. It's time to realize someone showed you Christ and now it's your time to return the favor, not just once, but every opportunity you get for the rest of your days on earth.
3. It's time to realize you are not Gods gift to Christianity. The church is not your personal soapbox. We need to stop treating it like a club for those who believe what we believe. I want to go to church for community, encouragement and a family of believers that is ever growing! I don't want to sit in the same stagnant group of people that is not going anywhere or impacting anyone.
4. It's time to change. This one is personal only. We can not change anyone, we can only offer support and wisdom along the way. Ultimately people will make the final decision and this is why we need to stop making it our burden to change those around us. Back to basics means, we realize we will forever be a work in progress, so stop being so judgmental.
Step away from the shallow Christianity I see so many infected with. Search for a depth in Christ that only he can give. Remember, it's not about us. So take this quote and put it to heart. The next time you feel offended or as if you know whats right, make sure you have this down first and it may save you a lot of heartache.
Oh God, I have tasted Thy goodness, and it has both satisfied me and made me thirst for more.
I am painfully conscious of my need for further grace.
I am ashamed of my lack of desire.
O God, the Triune God, I want to want Thee;
I long to be filled with longing;
I thirst to be made more thirsty still.
Show me Thy glory, I pray Thee, so that I may know Thee indeed.
Begin in mercy a new work of love within me.
Say to my soul, "Rise up my love, my fair one, and come away."
Then give me grace to rise and follow Thee up from this misty lowland
where I have wandered so long. - A.W. Tozer.
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