| Thursday, November 13, 2008 |
| Becoming a Whatever Christian |
Ever feel like your relationship with Christ isn't going anywhere?
It's probably because you haven't died to yourself. "For me, to live is Christ and to die is gain" Philippians 1:21. For years I never understood this verse. I became a Christian in December of 2000 and not until recently has this verse really stuck out to me. I'd been taking baby steps in my walk with Christ, growing here and there. And then I reached a point where I was faced with a decision. Was I going to keep trying to have both the world and Christ? Or was I going to die to myself and gain what cannot be measured? Was I going to make the conscience decision to throw away all the junk in my life, good or bad, and give it all to Christ? Was I going to stand before the Lord my God and deny Him everything that He owns? Everything that He gave? Was I going to water down the depth of His love, His goodness, His death on the cross by choosing to live for myself? If you are not at this point or never have been I pray you get there soon. Because your life will change radically.
Are we willing to be Whatever Christians? Are you willing to say to God: "Whatever it takes! Whatever you want! Whatever you ask of me, I will do it."
This kind of gesture requires two kinds of faith: one, the faith in the goodness of God and two, the faith that your fellow Christians have your back when you lay it all down.
"His divine power has given us everything we need for life and godliness through our knowledge of Him who called us by His own glory and goodness." 2 Peter 1:3. Do you believe this, dear Christian? Because if we truly believed that He has given us EVERYTHING we need, why would we be so hesitant to give it all away? I found 9 different times in the Bible with the exact phrase "He is good" which is followed by "His love endures forever." Out of His goodness flows love and out of His love flows goodness. I'm not talking about circumstances, but the very NATURE of God. "Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of the heavenly lights, who does not change like shifting shadows." James 1:17. God is bigger than your circumstances. His good nature does not change with situations. Do you trust that?
Christians, we have been failing each other. We gossip and tear down instead of encourage and lift up. Why would anyone want to become "one of us"? If we can't love each other, how can we love our enemies? The wound of betrayal stings much worse coming from a friend than an enemy. We expect unbelievers to be selfish and hurt each other, yet we Christians do it to each other. "He died for us so that, whether we are awake or asleep, we may live together with him. Therefore encourage one another and build each other up, just as in fact you are doing." 1 Thessalonians 5:10-11 (italics and bold mine). I have some really great friends that know my heart and support me when I follow Christ. They love me despite my sin and hold me accountable to my actions. They speak the truth in love and hold me up. They've got my back. It would be incredibly difficult to become a Whatever Christian without those people. Don't you see, brothers and sisters, that we were designed to live in community? Please do not isolate yourselves as so many Christians do. Jesus led by example by having a close group of disciples that He called friends. And church, please make community a priority. Please do not let your congregation become just a group of acquaintances, but encourage real, godly friendships to happen.
Are YOU ready to become a Whatever Christian? Are YOU ready to get down on your knees and make a life commitment to say "whatever you desire, Lord, it's yours"?
Lord God, I come to you now broken and in need of you. Fill me up and strengthen me so that I may live for you and only you. Guard my heart from the hardness of sin. Make yourself known to me. Allow me to serve you. God I ask that you protect my fellow Christians from the enemy. Continue to show me ways that I can encourage others. This task of becoming a Whatever Christian is not easy and I know I'm going to fail, but you are my strength and I run to you in times of weakness. Thank you for the cross Lord. Thank you that I have direct access to you. I praise you because you are good and your love endures forever. Let my life be a reflection of this. Amen.
(This idea of a "Whatever Christian" came from a sermon I heard at Father's House in Vacaville, CA. The pastor's name is Jules and the credit goes to him.) |
posted by Carsen @ 10:23 AM  |
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| 4 Comments: |
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You are amaze me, daughter. You are such a blessing to me. I know I haven't always "had your back" but I'm praying I will always be there for you in the future!
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That was awesome Carsen!!! Thanks so much for sharing!!! Striving to be one as well.
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Hey Carsen! great thoughts with tons of truth.
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Name: Carsen
Home: California, United States
About Me: army wife, nurse, daughter, sister, Jesus-lover, and friend.
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Awesome, Carsen!