In my last post I asked if people view faith as integral to their lives or as tasks that should be completed. A couple of people rightfully called me to task on my vague definition of faith. The point I inadequately was trying to make is that some people (Christian leaders included) tend to substitute “faith-based” behaviors (as evidenced by the White House’s Office of Faith-based and Community Initiatives) for genuine faith.
One blogger that I follow recently addressed the same issue with much more clarity than I. Read his thoughts and let us know what you think.
One of the temptations for ministry leaders…is to substitute work for God (our ministry) for the work of God in our hearts and lives. Not only does this substitution hurt the individual involved as they do not become all that God designed them to be but it hurts those that they influence as their model is one of doing rather than one of becoming. This has led to countless Christ followers who have spent their lives focusing on either doing or modifying behaviors to meet the standards of their church or leader without significant transformation of the deepest core of their lives.
It is a matter of priority. If my priority is that of seeing authentic spiritual transformation take place in my life, I will bring all of life under His lordship and will engage in His business and will modify my life in many areas to bring it into alignment with His. But if I focus instead on doing things for Him and modifying my behaviors rather than that of spiritual transformation I will end up frustrated and with a substitute transformation that is more about me than about Him. Too many Christ followers have settled for the latter rather than committing to the former. The first brings real life change while the latter is often little more than legalism.
What have you found helpful to ensure that God’s work in you is not being neglected because of your work for Him?
A shorter way to put this is. Some people spend their entire life seeking God's will for them. If they would only seek God, His will would become apparent.
ReplyDeleteIdeally and scripturally - everything we do for Christ is supposed to be an overflow of what He has done for us and in us.
ReplyDeleteJames reminds us that faith without deeds is dead faith (or pointless faith). Scripture teaches that there must be an overflow in our behavior and actions (deeds).
Jesus taught that He is the true Vine and we are branches and that if we do not remain in the Vine - we can do nothing.
We certainly can do a lot in the flesh in terms of "deeds"....but they will have no lasting value or spiritual signifigance -we must remain in Christ in order to bear spiritual fruit (attitude as well as actions)
I think the question is "how do you best remain in Jesus and how do you know (what signs do you see in your life) when you aren't?"
I went to my sister-in-law's church this weekend and heard someone give their testimony as to how they became a believer. They had shared that several christians had witnessed to him over several years - he had heard the gospel.
His reply to these christians has stuck in my mind, and will probably remain there for quite some time. His reply was this:
"Why would I want what you have when your life is just as messed up as any other person who doesn't profess to be a christian?"
If no life changing power is happening in our hearts and in our lives - do we have a message to give anyone else, really?
As one of my facebook friends said, "I'm growing tired of asking others if they are 'christians', and will begin asking them if they are 'saved.'" Polls tell us the majority are Christians, but scripture talks about a narrow road and few there be that find it. I think many could follow of the steps of the WH Faith Based Initiatives without having a sincere relationship with Jesus, but rather trying to gain acceptance or do enough good works or tasks.
ReplyDeleteI often think of Matthew 7 where many are deceived into doing good works, tasks, or Faith Based Initiatives, and are eventually told to "depart from me, I never knew you."
Sadly, many are comfortable attending (another task) evangelical churches today without having experienced true repentance and saving faith or integration. Your thoughts?
Ok, here goes with "my thoughts".....sorry if they run "counter culture" to the way church is done in many evangelical churches.
ReplyDeleteOur family attended several pentecostal churches before coming to SLEFC and realizing that it was here that God was calling us to become involved.
There several things that were taught at these pentecostal churches that we could not agree with based on our own understanding of what scripture teaches.....but at the same time there were MANY things they modeled and taught that were totally right on course with what I think they should have been.
People in our world are usually quite uncomfortable with periods of silence - but they had them at these churches expecting that during these "reflective" moments there would be time given for the Holy Spirit to speak to the hearts of those there - to minister encouragment, conviction, wisdom etc....
The church body modeled what it means to listen to God.....and people were impacted by that.
There was time given in every service to the working of the Holy Spirit.....it took on many forms, perhaps extended worship, prayer for each other, reflective quietness etc....
To me, part of the issue is the way we "do church" in our culture.....what are we teaching/modeling to others who attend what it means to love and follow the Lord?
God has created us to do good works Ephesians 2:10
ReplyDeleteBut they are supposed to be an outflow from our love relationship and dependence upon Christ -
One of the ways we can experience Christ and His power - is through serving Him and serving others. We grow when we exercise our spiritual gifts.
But, perhaps along the way of having churches focus on "mission" nowadays.....we have lost the focus on the cultivating the inner life and have failed to help people continue to grow strong in that area as well?
God encourages to teach/preach the whole counsel of HIs word.....there is certainly a TON in there about reflecting upon making one's calling and election sure.
Ok, I somewhat agree...many churches are almost afraid of the work of the Holy Spirit because of tongues, faith healing (Yes, God still heals today), and name it/claim it false doctrinal teaching--God always wants you healthy and wealthy.
ReplyDeleteHowever, churches can almost become too rigid and structured not allowing the Spirit to work through extended periods of worship, praise, prayer, or quiet times of reflection and repentance.
Even though we never attended pentecostal churches, we used to attend a church practicing
Spirit-led worship. It's contagious and we do miss it as well.
Of course, we've now officially strayed off-topic.
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ReplyDelete"throwing the baby out with the bathwater" due to fear is an unfortunate choice.
ReplyDeleteBack on topic.....WE as leaders must model transparency and speak about the work God is accomplishing in our hearts and lives with those we lead.
We also need to help those we lead cultivate their relationship with the Lord - providing them tools and skills with which they can stay spiritually healthy and strong and remain in Christ and walk in the Holy Spirit.
Not just provide spiritual milk.....but dig into the meat of the word.
As far as making sure God's work IN me is not being neglected....
ReplyDeleteMy natural bent is toward analyzing things - so it comes very natural to me (to a fault) to analyze my spiritual growth, or lack there of.
In fact, i think to some degree we need to be doing this daily - not in a morose way.
"How did I respond in this situation was it Christ honoring? If not, is this an area of constant struggle in my life and what does God want to do about it?"
"Did I exhibit the fruit of the Holy Spirit in the situations I was faced with today? If not, why not?"
Spiritual growth is a work of the Holy Spirit but it is also something we need to be diligent in our pursuit of - it doesn't happen due to unintentionality on our part.
I am usually fairly in tune with what is going on in my heart for the most part and it is not too awefully hard to know when it is growing indifferent toward God.
We must take that time of introspection and analysis and listening to the Holy Spirit. He is our Counselor :0) and He has never let me down in the department of being painfully honest with me about my true spiritual state when I needed to hear that truth, nor silent with me in showing me what I needed to do about it. My problem is I often don't want to hear it.
"There is no contradiction between God working in you and you working to follow God. This is the nature of the spiritual partnership He establishes with us. He works, and so must we. If you pray that God will keep your thoughts sexually pure, then turn around and look at pornography, you act in contradiction to your prayer, showing it to be only words. You must demonstrate that you are serious about your prayer by taking all the steps to avoid sexual immorality of the mind and body. In other words, it matters what you do." - Randy Alcorn
ReplyDelete"- continue to work out your salvation with fear and trembling, for it is God Who works IN you to WILL and to ACT according to His good purpose" Apostle Paul Phil. 2:12-13
ReplyDelete