I grew up among Christian people. I, myself, did not become saved until the age of 15 when I was in the middle of an unexpected pregnancy, but nevertheless, I knew about Jesus my whole life. Salvation through Jesus is the greatest gift in the world! I must be eager to share that with others since that is my eternal hope. But doesn’t Jesus do more than save people? Some denominations focus solely on saving the person’s soul, yet after that there is no sanctification or progression or discipleship. The person’s soul may be saved, but there is little change or purposeful learning after that. That is the type of Christian life that I had lived until the year 2000. I struggled with living a godly life, wondering what that might entail and I lived my life not as the Bible says a Christian should- victorious and with power- but with monotony and suppression. If Jesus does more than save a person, surely He wanted me to live a victorious, glorious, and progressive life! That was only able to happen in my own life through prayer and reading The Word and continually seeking to progress my life in a way that would please Jesus.
“For though by this time you ought to be teachers, you have need again for someone to teach you the elementary principles of the oracles of God... Therefore leaving the elementary teaching about the Christ, let us press on to maturity...” -(Heb. 5:12, 6:1). The footnotes in my NASB Life Application Study Bible say, “Certain elementary teachings are essential for all believers to understand, but we need to move beyond (but not away from) the elementary teachings to a more complete understanding of the faith.”
Too often in today's world, when the word "Christian" is mentioned, unbelievers assume that a Christian is someone who "goes to church", but beyond that, there is no fruit. Being a "Christian" to unbelievers is a mystery. What are Christians good for? Most Christians are very nice, friendly people, but they like to stay cooped-up inside of their own little world. They are agreeable and likeable, especially if they are among people who are just like them. But what are Christians really all about? Where is Jesus? If they are so devoted to their local church, then why are they so burned-out all the time? If Christians are as busy as ever with meetings, small groups, Sunday School and various church socials, when do they have time to actually BE the Church to the lost of the world- to those people who will never see the inside of a church building?
I am grieved to see so many Christians living their lives with strongholds (like anger, bitterness, unforgiveness, ignorance) and being so unfruitful. I’ve heard missionaries talk about the greatness of the Gospel being presented in other countries, yet when these missionaries return to the United States, they mourn over the lack of zeal and passion in which Christians here live with. “The worries of the world, and the deceitfulness of riches, and the desires for other things enter in and choke the word, and it becomes unfruitful” -Mark 4:19. American Christians are too comfortable for their own good (myself included). We enjoy our shopping too much; we enjoy our air conditioned cars, TV’s and cell phones too much. In short, we covet the flesh-gratifying materialness the Bible so clearly abhors and overlook the simplicity in the satisfying fullness of Jesus.
The Bible teaches that I am saved by grace alone, not by my own works or anything that I can present to the Lord because “all of our righteous deeds are like a filthy garment” (Is. 64:6). But this is where some Evangelicals have grown too accustomed to spiritual easiness and have laid aside the necessity of living a fruitful life. “Faith without works is dead” -James 2:26. Just because a person is in the choir or teaches a Sunday School class does not mean they are living an abundant, fruitful life. Not out of fear or obligation or pride or monotony should we become a Sunday School teacher or sing in the choir or volunteer in the nursery, but only because we want to proclaim through our actions that the Christian life is not in vain or worthless- it is serving, saving, and satisfying! "It was he who gave some to be apostles, some to be prophets, some to be evangelists, and some to be pastors and teachers, to prepare God's people for works of service, so that the body of Christ may be built up... (Eph. 4:11-12).
When I was a lonely, scared, pregnant teenager, I endured my pregnancy solely with the help of my parents. We lived in a very small town and everybody around us knew what was going on, yet my parents had to "go it alone" amidst the behind-their-back gossip that was going on. There were very few people who were willing to sacrifice their pride and reputation. I can remember only 3 families who were willing to offer this frightened teenage girl maternity clothes, a crib and baby clothes, and most importantly, a hug and shoulder to cry on. This was among a town that had churches on almost every street in town! I am not pointing this out to judge or condemn people. I have forgiven everyone and have moved on with my life. But it did engrain a deep impression in my mind of how NOT to live as a Christian and what I can do differently. Living out my faith proves that I actually have a faith. To believe in something and not live it is deceitful (and shall I say sinful?)
I was raised in a "Christian" town, married the pastor's son, and have gone to church every Sunday for the past "fill-in-the-blank" years, but those things are not enough! Only living for Jesus, day in and day out, is what counts. 'Only one life, 'twill soon be past, Only what's done for Christ will last."
I pray that my words have brought wisdom and renewal. The reason I am writing these things is because I would love to see more Christians challenged to examine their daily lives. We must "live a life worthy of the calling you have received" (Eph. 4:1). We must be "made new in the attitude of your minds" (Eph. 4:23).
This message was not meant to discourage or cast blame. Rather, it was intended to teach, to reveal, to encourage lasting change, not just in your life, but in mine as well. “Not that I have already obtained it or have already become perfect, but I press on... I press on toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus” -Phil. 3:12,14.