“The greatest evidence of your salvation is
not that you repented once but that you continue to repent today. It’s not that
you believed once but that you continue to believe today. It’s not that you
walked with Christ once but that continue to walk with Him today” (Billy
Wendeln).
I ran across this quote in a Facebook group and it
resonated with me. It strikes at the
heart of a problem that churches of every stripe experience -- a lack of
commitment \ involvement. Somehow we’ve
come to believe that once we are in the “club,” then we can continue to reap
the benefits without any (or very little) ongoing participation or growth. I suppose that even the leadership in some
churches has been complicit in the development of the issue. The increasing competition to put (and keep)
people in the pews has caused some to be hesitant of requiring much in the way
of visible commitment to the cause. The
fear is that such an approach will prompt the resistant to just move on to another
group down the road that doesn’t require as much.
The Bible knows nothing about non-participatory
Christianity. Sure, large numbers took
the initial steps of faith in the New Testament and became part of the body of
Christ. That’s great news. But it didn’t stop there. Believers were expected to become an active
part of a local fellowship of Christians (Hebrews 10:23-25). They were expected to grow in their faith
(Ephesians 4:15; 2 Pet. 3:18). They were
all expected to use their gifting to serve the church (1 Corinthians
12:4-18). Being an “eye” or an “ear”
didn’t excuse anyone from participation.
Some questions are in order. Am I claiming to be part of something but not
participating in it? Have I been saved
but refuse to cooperate with God’s ongoing efforts to save me? Has my Christianity devolved into punching a
time card and keeping a checklist or am I actively seeking to contribute to the
health of my congregation?
God loves you!
Mike
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