As most of you know, I grew up in a very churchy environment. I honestly feel the Pharisees would have felt pretty comfortable there. I was thinking about the reasons why going to and being a part of church has always been a difficult task for me.
What it boils down to is my standards were too high. I was expecting Jesus…or at least something that resembled what He carried. Of course, when your standard is that, you’ll always fall short. When I consider the Christians who turned me off to Christianity it was usually because one major thing was missing…love.
“If I have the gift of prophecy and can fathom all mysteries and all knowledge, and if I have a faith that can move mountains, but do not have love, I am nothing.” 1 Corinthians 13:2
Righteousness isn’t just knowing the right thing to do or even doing the right thing. It’s about having the right motive and heart. That’s what God cares about!
“God is Spirit, and those who worship Him must worship in spirit and truth.” John 4:24
I’ve seen many seasoned Believers who are no longer excited about what thrills God’s heart. This reflects a hardened heart. We can be hardened by sin, or by constant exposure. If we aren’t seeking God’s heart, it’s easy to slip into ‘religious activity’ devoid of love or joy, going through the motions while our heart becomes numb to what matters.
Because this world values education, Someone with extensive knowledge or seminary experience might be considered a leader in the faith. But, if they have NO love then they are only modeling what not to do.
When I asked the Lord what makes someone a mature Christian, He said, “It’s not the years they’ve been saved but how quickly and often they obey.” Obedience reflects a mature Christian life, not knowledge. There are plenty of educated Believers who refuse to obey or make the changes God is asking from them. God is not really their God.
“Beloved, do not believe every spirit, but test the spirits to see whether they are from God, for many false prophets have gone out into the world. “ John 4:1
A spirit of love is a basic requirement. As this was the fundamental motive and mission of Jesus. He sacrificed His life and He did it because He loved us. This was far from easy but that’s what makes His gift so precious for it came at a heavy price.
Calling ourselves Christians is an HONOR. With that title comes a great responsibility. We are Ambassadors of Christ. This means wherever we go and whatever we do will be measured by the name we claim. Many have fallen away from the faith because Christians who claim the name of Jesus aren’t listening or obeying His voice! They aren’t loving anyone but themselves, which makes them no different from the world they’re called to minister to.
I want to leave you with what God has to say as I trust His word will do what He designed it to do.
“If anyone causes one of these little ones—those who believe in me—to stumble, it would be better for them to have a large millstone hung around their neck and to be drowned in the depths of the sea. Matthew 18:6
“My sheep listen to my voice; I know them, and they follow me.” John 10:27
“Not everyone who says to me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter the kingdom of heaven, but the one who does the will of my Father who is in heaven. On that day many will say to me, ‘Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in your name, and cast out demons in your name, and do many mighty works in your name?’ And then will I declare to them, ‘I never knew you; depart from me, you workers of lawlessness.” Matthew 7:21-23
“Do not quench the Spirit.” 1 Thessalonians 5:19