Friday, December 16, 2005

This We Believe - Round 5

Being a Christian: What should I experience?

What does an unbelieving world say when another TV Evangelist runs off with several million dollars, or when another preacher divorces his wife, after he has been caught in the pews with the secretary??

Probably something like: "If Christianity is unable to really effect a change in the lives of its adherents, then how could it be all that great?"



Can the Gospel really change a person?
Is Christ indeed unique among the “gods?”
Can he do a work in our lives that no other “savior” can do?

In past lessons we have covered the truth that we all start as sinners who fall short of the glory of God. However, through Christ’s death we receive forgiveness. From being sinners condemned to die, we now receive the gift of eternal life! Let’s see how Jesus describes it in John 5:24 “I tell you the truth, whoever hears my word and believes him who sent me has eternal life and will not be condemned; he has crossed over from death to life.”

So, if belief in Christ leads to eternal life, and if eternal life is knowing God (see John 17:1-3), then why are many Christians not experiencing fulfillment in Christ?

How about this question, “Does everyone have fantastic relationships with all their friends and family?” No?! Why not? Because it's hard, it takes work.

So, if we want a good relationship, it requires “cultivation.” How do we cultivate our relationship with God? (Answer – The Spiritual Disciplines!) Remember, the disciplines are not a way for us to reach God, but rather a way for us to enter the door that God has already opened to us in his desire to have a relationship with us. So, my initial conclusion is that the more you cultivate your relationship with God, the more you will experience fulfillment in Christ – Not a fulfillment that is here today and gone tomorrow, but a real, lasting fulfillment.


What should we experience in our relationship with God?

*Two of the most common should be love and joy! Check out Romans 5:5 “And hope does not disappoint us, because God has poured out his love into our hearts by the Holy Spirit, whom he has given us.” Remember that God is love! And so he is able to provide that lasting experience of love and happiness – not the short term fixes that the world offers.

*Holiness should be part of the experience of all Christians. 1 Peter 1:14-16 14 As obedient children, do not conform to the evil desires you had when you lived in ignorance. 15 But just as he who called you is holy, so be holy in all you do; 16 for it is written: "Be holy, because I am holy." Did you know that of the total 2,005 verses in Paul’s epistles, 1,400 of them deal with holiness, godliness, or Christian character? We should listen to John’s advice, “My dear children, I write this to you so that you will not sin.” 1 John 2:1

So, to be called “Christian” while blatantly breaking God’s commands is not biblically acceptable. But then again, we are not usually transformed overnight! Martin Luther compared conversion to being diagnosed by a doctor, who then prescribes the proper course of medicine. Until then, the patients health had been deteriorating. Complete healing does not come at the time of diagnosis, but rather takes time to have full effect. At the time of conversion, we change course from being sinners on the highway to hell, to being pilgrims on the road to heaven. This change of our nature to conform to the likeness of Christ is called Sanctification. We will grow in holiness, in sanctification, as we purse God through pursuing the spiritual disciplines.

Warning: Many people come to Christ because they realize that he can meet some of their needs. This is legitimate, but people also need to be aware of the whole package – that Jesus didn’t come just to meet needs, but to save us from our sins by making it possible for us to live lives of holiness. Getting our needs met by God is not about a “formula.” It’s not even the most important thing! Understanding how serious our sin is, understanding that Jesus came to die for our sins – these are important things! And understanding this will help us in our pursuit of God, in our experience of holiness.

*Peace is another experience. While having our needs met is not the most important aspect of Christianity, it is something that God give us. Phil 4:19 “And my God will meet all your needs according to his glorious riches in Christ Jesus.” This peace dispels anxiety because we know that God cares for us. 1 Peter 5:7 “Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you.”

*A final experience includes purpose and significance. As we enter a relationship with God, we become his agents. 2 Cor 5:20 “We are therefore Christ's ambassadors, as though God were making his appeal through us. We implore you on Christ's behalf: Be reconciled to God.” The most happy and contented people in this world are those who believe that what they are doing in life is significant.

So, if all of this is true, and if Christians should be experiencing love, joy, holiness, peace and purpose – then why are so many Christians trapped in habitual sin, not experiencing the peace, joy and purpose that God has for them?

There is no way to explain it but to say that people are living out of their heads, not out of their hearts. They know it all, intellectually, but they have experienced none of it from their hearts. It doesn’t have to be that way. Many, many people have been set free – free not only from the power of sin, but also free from approaching God out of legalism and rules. You too can be set free.

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