“And He who sits on the throne said, “Behold, I am making all things new.” And He *said, “Write, for these words are faithful and true.” Revelation 21:5 NASB
If Jesus is making all things new, why is it that people claiming to be Christians stay the same? Acceptance of Christ as a Savior and relationship with him produces change. Period.
As of late, I find myself being burdened with the heart of believers in the church. I’m observing and watching interactions, conversations, listening to “jokes”, and wondering to myself why people are still in the same spiritual state they were in years and years ago. It’s a heavy feeling. In all fairness, I’m watching from afar; but God’s word says that from the mouth the heart speaks (Matthew 15: 11-18). It’s also true that what we think and feel influences how we act and who we interact with. In a lot of situations I know that certain people I have observed are under a solid pastoral covering. So where is the disconnect? Why isn’t there growth? A major thought is that a lot of what they know is religion- even under good teaching, religion can keep you from true spiritual growth and encounters with the Lord. In my opinion, it’s evidence of a heart not fully surrendered. It’s monotonous learned behaviors that keep you stuck. People are deceived. Go to church Sunday, stay the same Monday thru Saturday, wake up Sunday, do it again. It’s Evidence of a heart that picks and chooses verses in the Bible, a lot of times out of context, to fit into the life box they have created for themselves that makes them comfortable. It’s a decision that only this and that scripture applies to me. It’s the desire to know God but not want to change and become more like him. Like that saying- you are who you hang with or your network is your net worth. I notice that a lot of people who claim to be Christians don’t actually act like them, they look nothing like Jesus. And in all honesty it makes sense because to me, most “Christians” aren’t Christ Followers. They haven’t fully surrendered their life to him and his will for their lives. They want the prosperity and inheritance that salvation has to offer but don’t want to do the work to become sanctified and whole to the fullest extent possible while we are still breathing. They don’t want the cross, they want the ascension, they want heaven on earth without the cost. They are entitled…
If people choose to accept Jesus Christ as their Savior and not Lord, that’s cool. But my mind can not comprehend why. There is so much that God has to offer us outside of just being our Savior. There’s not just the freedom from sin his offers us from the cross, there are deeper layers to salvation that can only be revealed by true surrender and relationship with Him. There are people depending on our walk, depending on our surrender and the journey it takes us on. There are people who are waiting to reap from our obedience. So what’s the hold up? If you are reading this and it stings, you may be one of those individuals I’m speaking of (generally of course). And if you are and you feel a conviction, I encourage you to dig deeper. To seek harder and pray more specifically for God to do a new work in you. Believe it’s worth it. And change will come, it will be evident, and people may not like it cause it makes them uncomfortable…but that’s ok. Don’t take it personal. It’s not you that they are uncomfortable with, it’s the Jesus IN you. Growth in Christ brings you to new levels of relationship and revelation from Him, as well as new encounters for others. Don’t let fear stunt your growth and don’t get caught up in participating in what the world says is fun when it’s contradictory to what God says in His word. When it causes you to lose your witness. Trust me, I’m talking to myself too and I’m just as accountable as everyone else. Fear is a liar and anyone who can’t handle what God does in your life once you fully surrender it, He will bring new people who are walking in the same direction as you and will pour into you, sharpen you, as you continue to grow. There is so much waiting for you. So I say again… What’s the hold up?
Sincerely,
Not a Fan
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“Jesus said, “Even after all that I’ve taught you, you still remain clueless? 17 Is it hard to understand that whatever you eat enters the stomach only to pass out into the sewer? 18 But what comes out of your mouth reveals the core of your heart. Words can pollute, not food.”
