Am I A Spectator Or A Participant?

“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

A Battle Plan

“Then I heard a loud voice in heaven, saying, “Now the salvation, and the power, and the kingdom of our God and the authority of His Christ have come, for the accuser of our brethren has been thrown down, he who accuses them before our God day and night.“  And they overcame him because of the blood of the Lamb and because of the word of their testimony, and they did not love their life even when faced with death” (Revelation 12:10–11).

The full manifestation of the kingdom of God, ushered in by the coming of the Messiah and all that He made possible, was the difference-maker in the cosmic battle between God and satan, the malevolent accuser of God’s people.  The devil and his demonic forces had launched an attack on heaven itself but soon discovered they didn’t have the strength to defeat Michael and his angelic host.  As a consequence of their defeat, satan and his army were thrown down to earth.  Never one to sit idle long, the devil turned his attention to the earthly members of God’s kingdom, seeking to destroy them.  Would the earthly servants of God have the same success against the accuser as the heavenly defenders?

Thankfully, the answer is “yes.”  The text above attributes their success to three things.  One, the blood of the Lamb.  There would be no victory over Satan if all we had were our own efforts.  First and foremost, we need the blessings that accompany the sacrifice of Jesus and the victory over sin and death it secured before we have any hope of success.  Two, the word of their testimony.  The words and life of these overcomers testified to their loyalty and commitment to their Lord.  In a climate where the pressure was great to compromise to avoid persecution and suffering, these Christians stood firm.  Three, they weren’t afraid to die for their faith.  Nothing, not even martyrdom, could sway these followers of God.

Sounds like a great battle plan to me.  Difficult but effective.  What do you think?

God loves you!

Mike

Ant vs. Elephant

“Then the seventh angel sounded; and there were loud voices in heaven, saying,   “The kingdom of the world has become the kingdom of our Lord and of His Christ; and He will reign forever and ever”” (Revelation 11:15).

The background of this verse involves God’s efforts to provide a prophetic testimony during a time of great struggle, symbolized in this chapter by the sending forth of two witnesses.  They have great power and authority but eventually the forces of evil, pictured as the beast of the abyss, overcome and kill them.  Those opposed to God dishonor the dead bodies of the witnesses.  The rebels rejoice that their tormentors have been eliminated.

But the victory party is a bit premature.  After a short time, God raises the two witnesses from the dead.  The rejoicing of God’s opponents gives way to great fear as they see the resurrected witnesses are called to heaven, followed by an outpouring of God’s wrath and judgment.  And when the dust settles, the kingdom of God is triumphant over the kingdoms of the world.  Worldly kingdoms do their worst but God always ultimately wins!

This reminds me of the words of the Psalmist: “Why are the nations in an uproar and the peoples devising a vain thing? The kings of the earth take their stand and the rulers take counsel together against the LORD and against His Anointed, saying, “Let us tear their fetters apart and cast away their cords from us!”  He who sits in the heavens laughs, the Lord scoffs at them. Then He will speak to them in His anger and terrify them in His fury, saying, “But as for Me, I have installed My King Upon Zion, My holy mountain””(Psalm 2:1–6).

Ungodly kingdoms come and go.  Worldly rulers defy the Ruler of the universe and revel in their rebellion, uttering blasphemous words of challenge and defiance.  It’s like an ant challenging an elephant.  And like God, we laugh at such futility.  Do they really think they can take on God and win?

God loves you!

Mike