There has been a lot of talk
lately about big named pastors and large churches. It seems like every time we
turn around there is some pastor in the news… And it makes me that much more
grateful that I serve a pastor that is wholeheartedly committed to teaching
Scripture, context included. And, the entirety of it. Not just the portions
that we (or he) like to hear about, all the while encouraging his parishioners
to study for themselves. His honest desire (that is displayed in his words AND
actions) is for all under him to have a relationship with the Living God
through His written Word! It adds a
level of safety that many churches cannot provide its members.
All this talk of pastors and
churches has led to my listening and reading various articles, sermons, blog
posts and other information. It has also refocused my attention on certain
aspects of the Christian life, and what the Word of God has to say about it. And,
it is a scary thing… and it breaks my heart.
This attitude that it doesn’t
matter how I live because I’m a “Christian”… “I’m free to do and act however I
please” is quite troubling to me. Not just because I’m a Christian and don’t
agree, but because I know many people who believe this, completely, and I’m
worried for them. I’m worried because I don’t know how they can KNOW the same
Jesus I know, and how Jesus can know them. And that breaks my heart… but it
also puts enough fear in me that I want to be sure I’m where I am supposed to
be…
It isn’t a very popular teaching
anymore, but sin is a big deal (Romans 6:23). And not just the “big sins”, but
any sin. All sin separates us from God. We are all unrighteous (Romans
3:10-11). “We are not born again to become a better version of our old selves”
(Christine Caine). There should be a
change in desires when we are created anew (2 Corinthians 5:17, Galatians
6:15). Will the Christian still struggle and still be tempted, and still sin?
Of course; none of us is perfect. But, I do believe we should be striving to be
just that – more like Jesus, day in and day out – perfect (Matthew 5:48).
I lived in the garbage of sin for
a long time, all while calling myself a Christian and going to church and doing
everything that a good little Christian girl should do… but not growing in my
faith or maturity as a Christian, or living a more holy life. I was living with
my boyfriend, for one. And I knew it was wrong. Yet, every day, I made the
conscious choice to stay in blatant rebellion to God’s commands. There was no
power in my life, because I wasn’t walking that way. And, now, I still sin. I
still struggle with certain things. But, I have different desires in my life. I
WANT to please Jesus. I want to live my life in such a way that I’m walking
closer toward Him every day. And, that,
I think is the mark of true salvation… true repentance. My faith grows
continuously. However, my repentance does as well. There are more and more
things that I recognize as not God-honoring and that I should turn away from.
This whole idea of sin not mattering in my life because I’m “saved” seems silly
when you consider that, in order to be saved, I was purchased by Jesus, bought
with a price (1 Corinthians 6:20). That means, I am no longer my own. My body
is not mine to do with as I please. I belong to Jesus, and His desires for me
should be becoming my reality.
I think there are a lot of “Christians”
that are living life, and banking on the belief that a loving God won’t send
them to Hell as long as they said a prayer one time or made a decision one time.
I say that, mostly because I used to be one of those… but, I don’t see that in
history. It surely isn’t shown in the Scriptures. Actually, just the opposite
is shown… just look at the flood. Or here’s something interesting… the angels
fell, and God didn’t provide them a Savior. And, if He had not provided a
Savior for me, it would change not one single thing about who He is… He would
still be just, and loving, and holy. My acceptance or disregard of Him has no
impact on who He is.
I want to know Jesus. And, I want
to be sure that He knows me (Matthew 7:17-23)! I heard a teaching that says the
implied meaning of that phrase “I never knew you” is this – Jesus is saying, I
didn’t know you. We never walked together. We never talked together. We never
had a relationship. He is saying this to the very people that are saying they
prophesied, drove out demons and did many mighty acts in His name! He’s not
saying that to the people who denied He even existed.
My desire is to draw closer to
Him, becoming more like Him in the process. I’m surely not very good at it… but
it is my aim. It is my goal. I pray that it is yours as well. And, if it
isn’t, I pray that the Lord would draw you to Him and His Word!
** Please note – I listen to a
lot of teaching and read a good bit. Because of that, I don’t want to leave
anyone with the impression that any of this is an original thought of my own. Any
and all of the comments above may have been borrowed from and have certainly
been influenced by any or all of the following people: Chas Haynes, Charles
Haynes, Ned Crosby, Paul Washer, Francis Chan, Christine Caine, and Ravi
Zacharias. **
