I find these to be interesting times, especially as it pertains to the Christian faith. Actually, I find these to be times filled with irony. Irony is often defined as an intention or attitude opposite to that which is actually or ostensibly stated. Here's what I mean:
90 percent of people say they pray regularly, yet half cannot name the first book of the Bible.
A strong 90% of parents want their children to receive religious training, yet less than half of them take them to church or to Sunday School (much less teach their children at home about Jesus or pray with them).
Many will tell me how important Bible study is, how important worship is, how important prayer is yet do not read the Bible, go to church, or spend any meaningful time in prayer.
So what gives?? Has Christianity just become a "convenience religion" where one is comfortable with life until a time of crisis appears and then all of sudden God becomes important? Are we fine with going to church as long as there isn't anything else on the calendar that day? Do we really believe that the difference between what we say and what we do goes unnoticed by God? (Or others, for that matter?) - That's scary!
I'm convinced that God is looking for people who are sold out for him. Does that mean there won't be mistakes? Does that mean there won't be bad days? Does that mean free from struggles? No, of course not. But it does mean that we make a commitment to pick up our crosses and follow Jesus, that we deny ourselves (avoid self-centeredness and exchange it for Christ-centeredness) and move from talking about how we want to be followers of Jesus to actually following in obedience.
I know, I know - it sounds like I'm preaching but I've seen what a commitment to Christ makes in the lives of his people. I've also seen the unnecessary heartache and pain that is a result of those who say they want to follow Jesus but have yet to do so. That's not just irony, that's a tragedy.
3 comments:
I believe you are correct. Convenience is an issue, I wish it wasn't, but let's face it, there's a lot of STUFF to do nowadays. The importance of practicing Christianity is not neccessarily forgotten, but, put under several layers of other STUFF. Occassionally it's on TOP, mostly it's partially covered by life's ups and downs. MORE STUFF.
How can we be the hands and feet of Christ if we are not out in the mix of the stuff of life. If we stay in a cacoon we have no idea how to be about our fathers business. It's that stuff of life that truely test our strenght in Christ. PR is right though, if we THINK we are Christians, we should be ACTING like Chrsitians, not acting like everything and everyone else OF this world. We can't allow the stuff of this world to swallow us up with it. This can be a fine line and left to each persons heart where they are or which side of the line we're on.
As I read and think on what has been said,PR is right in the assessment of what is going on. But how did we get here and who is leading us?
There are quite a few so called "Christians" who are so proud to say they are, go to Sunday School and Church every week, but who are they the other 6 days of the week when their church is not looking or their pastor? We have a real problem in our UMC of acting this way, I and many others have felt and seen this very thing go on. I can say that I am the same person on Sunday as I am the rest of the week. Actions speak way louder than words, maybe instead of SAYING we are "Christians", we should ACT more Christian-like towards ALL of Gods Children.
Some of us are chosen by God to be a voice for him, to spread his good word, to bring those who do not know him into his house, and yet I think they forget that they lead by example as well, not just in what they SAY, but in what they DO.
What do we say about who we are, by our daily actions???
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