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GLEANINGS FROM THE WORD Experiencing an extraordinary God in ordinary life Issue # 789 April 23, 2003 Just Enough Jesus? At Gleanings we strive to be encouraging and uplifting, but sometimes the best kind of encouragement is the pure unvarnished truth. This morning's word is blunt. Some will find it offensive, but I suggest if the message this morning offends you, it probably hits really close to home and you need to talk with God about it. Easter's over and summer is on the way. The attendance at church will begin dropping, by the end of May it will be a third or so of what it will be come fall. Programming at most churches wraps up at the end of May, leaving only the weekly "task" of Sunday worship It isn't any wonder that many non-Christians don't want to have anything to do with our "religion". We tell them all we want that it isn't about religion, it's all about a personal relationship with Jesus. Yet when they see how quickly we give up that relationship for nice weather they assume our relationship with Christ isn't all that deep or important. Sports fans seem more dedicated to their teams than Christians to our God. Churches keep lowering the bar on what's required of members fearing that they might "lose members" and that people are "afraid of commitment". Yet people commit to their favourite team, their kid's sports team or their favourite social activity. The truth is that many Christians want just enough Jesus to save them from hell, or to be able to call on in a crisis. They don't want to give up the sin in their life because they enjoy it too much. They're afraid not of commitment but of having to be confronted with their sin and deal with it. Scripture tells us that this would happen. But mark this: There will be terrible times in the last days. People will be lovers of themselves, lovers of money, boastful, proud, abusive, disobedient to their parents, ungrateful, unholy, without love, unforgiving, slanderous, without self-control, brutal, not lovers of the good, treacherous, rash, conceited, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God-- having a form of godliness but denying its power. 2 Timothy 3:1-5a NIV These aren't the people of the world that Paul's speaking of, but the people of the church. He goes on in the last part of verse 5 to lay out a heavy indictment Have nothing to do with them. 1 Timothy 3:5b NIV We expect the people who don't know Jesus to act in sinful ways. We expect that it will take some time for new believers to grab a hold of their new identity and be transformed (although it can and does often happen instantaneously). We know that none of us is perfect; we all slip into sin now and then. The heart wrenching part is watching people who have been "Christian" for years continue on in lives filled with deliberate, ongoing, unrepentant sin. Jesus gave everything to save us and to enable us to have a relationship with Him. If my heart breaks watching people who claim to be believers, how much more must His heart ache? He gave His life and all we want in return is enough of Him to get some prayer answered now and then and a ticket to heaven. What kind of a relationship is that? If I've just described you, you need to get right with God again. He doesn't approve of the sin in your life and He doesn't want to be simply your Sunday only (unless it's nice out and then you can skip a few weeks) kind of friend. Giving your life to Christ is designed to be radically life transforming. If it hasn't been, maybe you need to re-examine your heart and life style. We're not ever going to be perfect as believers, but we should be making steady progress in the direction of becoming more like Him. We are designed to be like him. For those God foreknew he also predestined to be conformed to the likeness of his Son, that he might be the firstborn among many brothers. And those he predestined, he also called; those he called, he also justified; those he justified, he also glorified. Romans 8:29-30 NIV Until next time, if your life doesn't match your professed faith, get right with God. He will forgive you and put you back on the right track if you seek Him. If you're growing more like Him, praise Him for His infinite patience and wisdom. Be blessed. Hallelu Yah (Praise God)! Kevin YOU ARE Once you have accepted Jesus Christ as your Lord and Saviour you are becoming conformed to Christ. For those God foreknew he also predestined to be conformed to the likeness of his Son, that he might be the firstborn among many brothers. And those he predestined, he also called; those he called, he also justified; those he justified, he also glorified. Romans 8:29-30 NIV Never let the enemy tell you that you are worthless or insignificant. You have value in the eyes of God so great that it was worth dying for. You are a blessing to the world. You can simply begin the relationship by honestly and completely opening your heart, admitting you need God's help, and saying a prayer along the lines of: Jesus: I have made many mistakes in my life and done things I am not proud of. I have sinned. I need your love and forgiveness. I believe that you came into this world and gave your life on a cross to pay for my sins and that you defeated death and rose again. Please forgive me, and be the Lord of my life. I give my life to you Lord. Amen If you pray this prayer for the first time let me know so I can rejoice with you. Did you know that at Gleanings, we have a dedicated team of prayer warriors and all prayer concerns are kept strictly confidential? Your comments, your questions and your joys are shared with the prayer team, to keep me accountable as the head of the ministry and to encourage them as they see God at work in your life. As with prayer all these things are kept confidential within the Gleanings team. To share your questions, comments, thoughts, prayer concerns and praise reports email us If you enjoyed this issue of Gleanings From The Word, email it, in its entirety, to a friend. For information on use of Gleanings in your church newsletter or other situations please visit the permissions page . You can write to us at Gleanings From The Word Ministries International 114 Oak St Sherwood Park, AB Canada T8A 0V8 © 2003 K.F. "Kevin" Corbin Gleanings From The Word Minististries International - All Rights Reserved
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