Wednesday, January 20, 2016

Christ-follower or Connoisseur?

By Allen White

Many a man claims to have unfailing love, but a faithful man who can find? Proverbs 20:6 (NIV)

Words can be very powerful. Words can also be empty and meaningless. If we say the right things, but refuse to do the right things, then we fall into the “clanging gong” category of 1 Corinthians 13.

We all want to give and experience unfailing love. We want true devotion to God and to others. We would like the same back from them. But, often the desire and the reality are miles apart.

The key is faithfulness. They say it takes seven years for a married couple to become compatible. But, then, there is also the seven year itch. Some are about to forfeit a great marriage five or ten years down the road, because it’s hard right now. While we would never expect someone to remain in an abusive situation, many just want to escape an uncomfortable situation. Faithfulness and a commitment to growth can take your marriage to a much better place.

What about church? We’ve become such consumers and connoisseurs of Christianity. Was the music to our liking? Was the sermon entertaining? Did it end on time? Did we feel good afterward? If things don’t suit us, then we look for something that we like better. Really?

It’s not about us. When we give ourselves fully to God, we give up our rights, our preferences, and our comforts. Christ gives us something far better. He gives us eternal life with God. He gives us a deep connection to our Creator. Christ leads us into a life of sacrifice, so we can reap far greater rewards. That doesn’t sound very popular, but if we can just get there, we would never turn back.

What are you tempted to give up on today? How would your faithfulness change things?

What things do you say, but can’t live up to? Maybe it’s time to stop talking and start doing.

These are hard things to think about today. I care about you too much to not say these things.

Scripture quotations taken from the Holy Bible, New International Version. Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984 by International Bible Society. Used by permission of Zondervan. All rights reserved.

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