Christianity has taken a hit in the last few decades... and in some ways, I am afraid to say, rightfully so. The airwaves and sound bites are full of so called "christian rhetoric" which in reality seems to be barely more than a small group of people using the Bible to justify exclusive and often extreme points of view. The prophet Jeremiah laments about such people who "talk" religion, but lack the love and passion for God that holy living requires, "you [the Lord] are near in their mouth, but far from their heart." (Jeremiah 12:2)
I pray that this series may wake us up a bit. I hope it encourages us to examine if what we truly believe is Bible based, cultured based, or fodder for the enemy who delights in seeing Christ ridiculed instead of glorified and whose goal is to drive people away from the King of Kings instead of into His waiting arms. I want to shake things up a bit -- not for the purpose to provoke, but for the purpose of spurring Christ-followers on to greater deeds of love and glory for His Namesake. I do not aim to offend, but some might be offended, so I apologize in advance and ask that this be a place of honest examination and discussion. I encourage your feedback, questions, and comments -- but let's try to keep it honest, civil, and kind on both sides, remembering that it is Christ we represent, Christ we long to draw closer to, and Christ that we want to honor.
So, if you, like me, are tired of letting the fringe represent your faith, let's DO something about today! Let's take back our faith so that we can offer it with clean hands and mind and hearts to the world around us.
Let's DO something about it:
Prayerfully read and reflect on Psalm 24 and Hebrews 10:19-25.
- What thoughts or insights do you get from these passages?
- List any actions or change of heart/attitude the Holy Spirit may have inspired in you.
- Keep this list as a prayer or accountability prompt over the next few weeks as you consider this series.
2 comments:
Hebrews says "spur one another on toward love and good deeds." That seems to be a great focus rather than what we hear on TV from the Christian right. Love an good deeds is a great focus.
Greg
I agree. Our focus is not on judging others or comparing their actions with ourselves, but to seek God (Ps.24) with an undivided heart and serve Him with no personal agenda; realizing that because I have been cleaned and renewed, restored to the possibility of my full potential, my heart's focus must be to find ways to encourage others to be all that they were created to be. (Heb. 10)
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