My last post stirred up a few people who thought my view on there being only one God was narrow-minded. One of these readers was quick to ensure I knew that they were a believer but didn’t think that Jesus was the only way to God. I have learned that those who must work hard and vigorously to defend what they believe must do so because they don’t truly believe what they are following but they are too stubborn to admit that they are wrong.
““Not everyone who calls out to me, ‘Lord! Lord!’ will enter the Kingdom of Heaven. Only those who actually do the will of my Father in heaven will enter. On judgment day many will say to me, ‘Lord! Lord! We prophesied in your name and cast out demons in your name and performed many miracles in your name.’ But I will reply, ‘I never knew you. Get away from me, you who break God’s laws.’ “Anyone who listens to my teaching and follows it is wise, like a person who builds a house on solid rock. Though the rain comes in torrents and the floodwaters rise and the winds beat against that house, it won’t collapse because it is built on bedrock. But anyone who hears my teaching and doesn’t obey it is foolish, like a person who builds a house on sand. When the rains and floods come and the winds beat against that house, it will collapse with a mighty crash.””
Matthew 7:21-27 NLT
There are many in our churches who claim to love Jesus but are lost. They have never really made the commitment to Christ, or maybe once in their lives many years ago but for the longest time just have been ‘playing’ church. Many understand what needs to be said to sound “Christianise” but fail to apply those same life principles to their hearts. All too often this talk without action approach will become stumbling blocks for new believers. Their lives may be mimicked as the ‘normal’ producing a new generation of Christians by name only missing out on the importance of an active relationship with Jesus.
We as followers of Christ need to have this active relationship with Jesus, which includes following his commands. We are commanded to love our neighbors. Jesus main mission to us was to go to all the world and make disciples. For many our neighbors may be as far into the world as we may get, yet we are to reach them with His love. We are told that we will be known by the world because of our love for those around us. Our actions must match the words we speak, and for this to become reality we must be all in in our faith.
My Pastor yesterday speaking from 1 Kings 18 made a statement that connects with this, ‘To have a current relationship with God we have to cut the bull.’ He was referring to the sacrifice Elijah was making to God when demonstrating God’s power over Baal. We need to stop playing around in our faith and start taking it seriously. Lives are at stake, and we can be the difference in the lives of those around us.
Where does your relationship with Jesus sit today? Are you taking it seriously, or are you playing games with God? Is there some bull that you need to cut out of your life? Something holding you back from loving your neighbors? What is your foundation built on? Do your actions match your words? I pray today that you live your life all in. If any of this hits home, don’t get defensive, be proactive, grab your bible. Confirm the words spoken by Jesus and the teachings of the apostles. Ask God to speak to you and work in your life so that you may give him your all. Don’t take my word for it, ask him yourself.
Father, today I pray for those struggling to go all in their relationship with you. Parts of themselves they are holding back, either in fear of what they may lose or because they enjoy that aspect of their lives. Reveal this to them so they may recognize that it is not beneficial to growth. Help us to love our neighbors in action not just words, let us be a light in our world. We want to be all in. Amen
50 Days of Pray 