Please Pass the Salt
As Christians we tend to spend a lot of time talking about relationship versus "religion." Of course this ultimately refers to the concept that it is more advantageous for an individual to focus on having a relationship with God than it is to be a "member" of an organization or denomination. I would be inclined to agree, as would most Christians, that this most important relationship should be the central focus of our lives. With that in mind I would pose two questions...:
1. How many of us have God in the place of preeminence in our lives?
2. How many of us put as much energy, time and consideration into our relationship with God as we do relationships with other people?
The point is, too many well meaning believers have higher priorities than having a healthy relationship with their savior. Too many of us put time and energy into earthly relationships and allow our relationship with Jesus to become stagnant. Think about it this way: If you ignored your spouse day after day, you would likely find your bags packed and sitting on the front porch at some point. If you sat across from your spouse night after night at dinner and barely said a word (except perhaps "Could you pass the salt?") You would find that he or she felt neglected and lonely.
I thank God that He will keep trying even when we don't!
When one party to a relationship ceases to contribute, the relationship stops growing and will eventually die.
And so I would pose a third question…
Are you stuck in a stagnant rut of complacency, and apathy with regard to the things of God?
I would encourage you to think about why you do the things you do. Everything in God has a purpose. Why do you read your Bible? Why do you pray? Why do you go to church? If you have come to the point where you do not know or your answer is because it is expected, then you may have allowed your relationship with God to become mechanical and withdrawn the deepest places of your heart. Perhaps you have backslidden; perhaps not. Perhaps you have fallen asleep in the light. Perhaps you have simply neglected your first love. Whichever is the case, the answer is the same.
If you are going to move beyond your present position, you are going to have to do something different! If you want to elevate your experience with God go back to the basics. Stop doing things mechanically. God is not a computer! Go back to that time when you first met and fell in love with God and He gave your entire world a facelift. Remember the times when you couldn't get enough of the word, worship, preaching or fellowship. Remember the times when your relationship was vibrant and full of excitement. Take the zeal of your youth in Christ and allow it to intersect with spiritual maturity. And if need be, repent… get back up, and start walking again.
There is one thing you must remember… While you were away (to whatever extent that was), Jesus was standing, waiting to run to you and receive you unto Himself.
In the world they say "Youth is wasted on the young." Not so in Christ who makes all things new!
God Bless…
Pastor David S. Sims Jr.
Fortress Apostolic Church
"And he arose, and came to his father. But when he was yet a great way off, his father saw him, and had compassion, and ran, and fell on his neck, and kissed him. And the son said unto him, Father, I have sinned against heaven, and in thy sight, and am no more worthy to be called thy son. But the father said to his servants, Bring forth the best robe, and put it on him; and put a ring on his hand, and shoes on his feet: And bring hither the fatted calf, and kill it; and let us eat, and be merry: For this my son was dead, and is alive again; he was lost, and is found. And they began to be merry." (Luke 15:20-24 KJV)
1. How many of us have God in the place of preeminence in our lives?
2. How many of us put as much energy, time and consideration into our relationship with God as we do relationships with other people?
The point is, too many well meaning believers have higher priorities than having a healthy relationship with their savior. Too many of us put time and energy into earthly relationships and allow our relationship with Jesus to become stagnant. Think about it this way: If you ignored your spouse day after day, you would likely find your bags packed and sitting on the front porch at some point. If you sat across from your spouse night after night at dinner and barely said a word (except perhaps "Could you pass the salt?") You would find that he or she felt neglected and lonely.
I thank God that He will keep trying even when we don't!
When one party to a relationship ceases to contribute, the relationship stops growing and will eventually die.
And so I would pose a third question…
Are you stuck in a stagnant rut of complacency, and apathy with regard to the things of God?
I would encourage you to think about why you do the things you do. Everything in God has a purpose. Why do you read your Bible? Why do you pray? Why do you go to church? If you have come to the point where you do not know or your answer is because it is expected, then you may have allowed your relationship with God to become mechanical and withdrawn the deepest places of your heart. Perhaps you have backslidden; perhaps not. Perhaps you have fallen asleep in the light. Perhaps you have simply neglected your first love. Whichever is the case, the answer is the same.
If you are going to move beyond your present position, you are going to have to do something different! If you want to elevate your experience with God go back to the basics. Stop doing things mechanically. God is not a computer! Go back to that time when you first met and fell in love with God and He gave your entire world a facelift. Remember the times when you couldn't get enough of the word, worship, preaching or fellowship. Remember the times when your relationship was vibrant and full of excitement. Take the zeal of your youth in Christ and allow it to intersect with spiritual maturity. And if need be, repent… get back up, and start walking again.
There is one thing you must remember… While you were away (to whatever extent that was), Jesus was standing, waiting to run to you and receive you unto Himself.
In the world they say "Youth is wasted on the young." Not so in Christ who makes all things new!
God Bless…
Pastor David S. Sims Jr.
Fortress Apostolic Church
"And he arose, and came to his father. But when he was yet a great way off, his father saw him, and had compassion, and ran, and fell on his neck, and kissed him. And the son said unto him, Father, I have sinned against heaven, and in thy sight, and am no more worthy to be called thy son. But the father said to his servants, Bring forth the best robe, and put it on him; and put a ring on his hand, and shoes on his feet: And bring hither the fatted calf, and kill it; and let us eat, and be merry: For this my son was dead, and is alive again; he was lost, and is found. And they began to be merry." (Luke 15:20-24 KJV)
posted by Pastor Sims | 5:26 PM
|
1 Comments
