No More Sloppy Christianity
If God wanted to do something against the tradition of the church, would there be freedom for the spirit of God to move? If God can have his way with us as men of God, in the church, then the framework of the church must be flexible enough to allow the spirit of the Lord to move freely. If the house is is built on the foundation of the rock of Jesus Christ, the house may bend but it will not be moved. Stand fast therefore in the liberty wherewith Christ has set you free and be not entangled again with the yoke of bondage. Freedom within a framework helps us walk circumspectly according to the Word of God. A disciple is a disciplined follower. Discipline is a key to allowing the spirit to work in you and through you. The final fruit of the spirit listed in Galations 5:22 is “temperance” or self-control. The liberty that we have is freedom to control our minds, hearts, and actions according to the Word of God. This Liberty also allows God to work in us and through us to will and to do of his good pleasure.
In 2 Chronicles 30, good King Hezekiah reinstated the feast of the Passover. The tribes of Judah had forsaken the Lord God Jehovah for many years but when Hezekiah took the throne, he tore down the old structures of pagan religions that Judah had embraced. The people had a heart to repent and turn back to God. They wanted to keep the Passover and to serve the Lord. However, the people did not keep all of the details of the Old Testament law of sacrifices. God is more interested in our heart of worship to praise and glorify him than in keeping the letter of the law.
When God’s people return their hearts to the Lord, they give generously to the work of the ministry so that the church will flourish and the Word of God will be preached and ministered. A pastor’s main responsibility is to be devoted to the word and prayer. According to 2 Chronicles 31:4. “Moreover he commanded the people that dwelt in Jerusalem to give the portion of the priests and the Levites, that they might be encouraged in the law of the LORD.”
When the spirit of God moves within the church, the harvest will be an abundance of the fruit of the spirit. For the fruit of the spirit is love, joy, peace, long suffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, meekness, and temperance….against such there is no law.
According to proverbs, out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaks. What’s in your heart? To profess Christianity means that we’re “professional” Christians. The profession means to “speak the same thing.” Your profession means that you “practice what you preach.” It means that your heart and your mouth are coordinated with your actions according to the Word of truth.
Some say that “sanctification” is a process. Sloppy Christianity denies the cross of Christ. Jesus said, “whosoever shall be my disciple must deny himself, take up his cross daily, and follow me.” According to Galatians 2:20, “I was crucified with Christ, nevertheless I live, yet not I but Christ liveth in me. And the life that I now live, I live by faith in the one who loved me and gave himself for me.” The more abundant life is lived at the foot of the cross where we were made holy and righteous by Jesus Christ’s willing sacrifice of his innocent blood for sin on our behalf.
The problem with saying “I’m doing kingdom work” is that it’s impersonal and no one can verify that my heart is right before the Lord. To “serve the body” is too often an excuse to satisfy our “pride” without the reproof and correction of the word of God. For whom the Lord loves, he chastens, reproves, and corrects. Correction means to “restore to an upright position.”
A recent survey revealed that only 15% of churches in America are growing. Of the 15% only 2% are growing through new conversions. The rest are growing by transfers from other churches. Only 9% of professing “evangelicals” tithe. Giving to the work of the ministry should be an act of joy and rejoicing. God doesn’t want your money. He wants your heart, for where your treasure is, there will your heart be also.
Jesus said, “I am the way, the truth, and the life. No man cometh unto the father except by me.” The solution to sloppy Christianity is true discipleship. A true disciple is a disciplined follower of his Lord Jesus Christ. The world says “discipline” is a dirty word. It limits my “freedom” to “do as I please.” However, the abundant life is living to His honor and glory. True freedom is the liberty that we have in Christ is to serve one another with a heart of love for God and his people. He has called us to build up, encourage, and edify his sons and daughters as we worship him together in spirit and in truth.
May God richly bless you!
Your brother in Christ,
Michael