Are You Really Walking with God?

This ones will tick some people off, but I've never run from a fight in my life so I'll just stand on God's truth on this one too.

It seems to me that far too many Christians lives are full of excuses as to why they're not doing what God's Word says to do. American Christianity is far to easy, especially compared to most places in the world where Christians put their lives on the line ever day simply because they believe in Jesus. I'm not saying I wish we had to put our lives on the line every day, even though it would probably make us appreciate Jesus more, what I'm saying is why aren't we willing to at least make some significant sacrifices for His Kingdom? I've heard all the excuses, no time, family, work, health, finances...blah blah blah. What if Jesus would have said to the world, "I would love to die on the cross for your sins, but between work and family, I really just don't have time."

So what am I talking about?

1) Why does the 80/20 rule seem to cross all denominational Christian barriers? If you don't know what that is,it means that 20% of the people in churches do 80% of the work. Why aren't Christian's in larger numbers even willing to do the basic requirement of service in Christ's church? You don't think this is a problem, call any church in America and ask them if they have all the servants they need!

2) In Malachi 3 God says we are to give the first 10% of what God has blessed us with back to His Church. Why do recent studies show that only 2% of those who claim to be Christians, tithe the full 10% the God commands us to give? How bad is this problem, almost every church leader I know is struggling to make ends meet, and most have very little money left for evangelism and outreach. Why is that, because 20% of the people at most churches are paying the way for the rest of the people who just attend. Is that an absolute in every single church in this country, I don't know for sure, but what I do know is, it's a huge problem in way to many.

3) God tells us we are to love the widows and orphans, and take care of those less fortunate than us. Why then is it so hard to get anyone to show up when there's an opportunity to serve those folks? Why are so few people willing to give to a cause larger than themselves. How many church leaders are left standing alone in a parking lot waiting for enough people to show up to something they said they would show up for?

4) God tells us we are not to go it alone, then why doesn't every church in American have 90% of their people in a small group sharing life together? Knowing that God wants everyone to have people in their lives, why is it like pulling teeth to get someone in a small group to leave and start of new group for all those who don't have one? Selfishness maybe? You tell me.

5) Why do most people who call themselves Christians have very little idea what the Bible says about what Jesus says we are to do?

The answer to #5 is the answer to the other questions. Either the majority of Christians have no clue what Jesus said before He gave His life for a bunch of sinners who did nothing to deserve that sacrifice, or they just don't care. Here's a question, are you a part of the problem, or the solution? Here's how you will know. This will only bother those who are not serving, giving, and sacrificing for the Kingdom of God.

In America we have taken the word Christian, and turned it into a noun, when it was always meant to be a verb. Jesus didn't tell us to go and talk about, or go and forward on our computers, or go and think about, He told us to "Go and do." Every time someone lam blasts me for not forwarding some Christian email they sent me, I just want to ask them, when was the last time you got out from behind your computer and went and did something for God's people that required more sacrifice than pushing a button on your computer?

God is not asking us to talk and act like "Christians" folks, he asking us to become fully devoted followers of His Son Jesus Christ, and thankfully He left us a guide to tell us how to do it. To be a devoted follower of Christ, we have to read what Jesus said the requirements are, and then "go and do" them. Wearing a cross on your neck or on your belongings, praying at meals or at bedtime, going to church, and talking about God, are all great, but they will not by themselves grow you into a devoted follower of Jesus Christ. Sacrificing your time, your money, your safety, your comforts, or your selfish desires, for the cause of Jesus, is what makes you His devoted follower.

What are you "doing," that shows the world you are a fully devoted follower of Jesus Christ?

John

Comments

[Loui Canchola]

Pure and simple, one of the best blog posts I've ever read. That was annointed.

[Kim]

Way to go Pastor John! Get fired up and tell it like it is!!! AMEN!

[Jason Curlee]

Slammin....right on point...