Does anyone really think that America today is lacking preachers, books, Bible translations, and neat doctrinal statements? What we really lack is the passion to call upon the Lord until he opens the heavens and shows himself powerful.
Let me make a bold statement: Christianity is not predominantly a teaching religion. We have been almost overrun these days by the cult of the speaker. The person who can stand up and expound correct doctrine is viewed as essential; without such a talent the church would not know what to do. As I said in an earlier chapter, the North American church has made the sermon the centerpiece of the meeting, rather than the throne of grace, where God acts in people's lives.
The Jewish faith in Jesus' day was dominated by rabbis - teachers of the law. Their doctrine was thorough. Jesus told them, "you diligently study the Scriptures because you think that by them you possess eternal life. These are the Scriptures that testify about me, yet you refuse to come to me to have life" (John 5:39-40 italics added). They knew the written word of God very well, but not the living Word, even as he stood before them.
The Scriptures are not so much the goal as they are an arrow that points us to the life-changing Christ.
It is fine to explain about God, but far too few people today are experiencing the living Christ in their lives. We are not seeing God's visitation in our gatherings. We are not on the lookout for his outstretched hand.
The teaching of sound doctrine is a prelude, if you will, to the supernatural. It is also a guide, a set of boundaries to keep emotion and exuberance within proper channels.
But as Paul said, "The letter kills, but the Spirit gives life" (2 Cor. 3?6). If the Holy Spirit is not given an opening among us, if his work is not welcomed, if we are afraid of what he might do, we leave ourselves with nothing but death.
Granted, extremists have done fanatical things in the name of the Holy Spirit that have frightened many sincere Christians away. Chaotic meetings with silly things going on and a lack of reverence for God have driven many to prefer a quiet, orderly lecture. But this is just another tactic of the enemy to make us throw out the baby with the bathwater. Satan's tendency is always to push us toward one extreme or the other: deadness or fanaticism.
North American Christians must no longer accept the status quo. No more neat little meetings, even with the benefit of 100 percent correct doctrine. Are we hiding behind the doctrine of God's omnipresence, that he is everywhere around the globe, especially "where two or three are gathered together". . . to the point that we don't seriously ask and expect to see him work with power in our lives here and now? Shouldn't we implore him to manifest himself? Moses did. Joshua did. Elijah did. Elisha did. Peter did. Philip did. Paul did. Shouldn't we?
God will manifest himself in direct proportion to our passion for him. The principle he laid down long ago is still true: "You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart" . . . .
(Jer. 29:13).
Jim Cymbala
Fresh Wind, Fresh Fire
My challenge for you - and for me - is to truly seek God and His will. Not to just say the words, but to mean them. And if we cannot do that now, then we should start by praying for the strength and courage needed to truly seek Him. Being a Christian is not for sissies. It's a road full of trials and tribulations, persecution and rejection, failures and shortcomings. We may, at any given time, be asked to give up everything, even our lives. We may find ourselves in a strange land with a strange people. But one promise from our Creator is worth all the sacrifice we might ever endure. After all, what He asks of us is nothing short of what He has already gone through a thousand times over.
Let me make a bold statement: Christianity is not predominantly a teaching religion. We have been almost overrun these days by the cult of the speaker. The person who can stand up and expound correct doctrine is viewed as essential; without such a talent the church would not know what to do. As I said in an earlier chapter, the North American church has made the sermon the centerpiece of the meeting, rather than the throne of grace, where God acts in people's lives.
The Jewish faith in Jesus' day was dominated by rabbis - teachers of the law. Their doctrine was thorough. Jesus told them, "you diligently study the Scriptures because you think that by them you possess eternal life. These are the Scriptures that testify about me, yet you refuse to come to me to have life" (John 5:39-40 italics added). They knew the written word of God very well, but not the living Word, even as he stood before them.
The Scriptures are not so much the goal as they are an arrow that points us to the life-changing Christ.
It is fine to explain about God, but far too few people today are experiencing the living Christ in their lives. We are not seeing God's visitation in our gatherings. We are not on the lookout for his outstretched hand.
The teaching of sound doctrine is a prelude, if you will, to the supernatural. It is also a guide, a set of boundaries to keep emotion and exuberance within proper channels.
But as Paul said, "The letter kills, but the Spirit gives life" (2 Cor. 3?6). If the Holy Spirit is not given an opening among us, if his work is not welcomed, if we are afraid of what he might do, we leave ourselves with nothing but death.
Granted, extremists have done fanatical things in the name of the Holy Spirit that have frightened many sincere Christians away. Chaotic meetings with silly things going on and a lack of reverence for God have driven many to prefer a quiet, orderly lecture. But this is just another tactic of the enemy to make us throw out the baby with the bathwater. Satan's tendency is always to push us toward one extreme or the other: deadness or fanaticism.
North American Christians must no longer accept the status quo. No more neat little meetings, even with the benefit of 100 percent correct doctrine. Are we hiding behind the doctrine of God's omnipresence, that he is everywhere around the globe, especially "where two or three are gathered together". . . to the point that we don't seriously ask and expect to see him work with power in our lives here and now? Shouldn't we implore him to manifest himself? Moses did. Joshua did. Elijah did. Elisha did. Peter did. Philip did. Paul did. Shouldn't we?
God will manifest himself in direct proportion to our passion for him. The principle he laid down long ago is still true: "You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart" . . . .
(Jer. 29:13).
Jim Cymbala
Fresh Wind, Fresh Fire
My challenge for you - and for me - is to truly seek God and His will. Not to just say the words, but to mean them. And if we cannot do that now, then we should start by praying for the strength and courage needed to truly seek Him. Being a Christian is not for sissies. It's a road full of trials and tribulations, persecution and rejection, failures and shortcomings. We may, at any given time, be asked to give up everything, even our lives. We may find ourselves in a strange land with a strange people. But one promise from our Creator is worth all the sacrifice we might ever endure. After all, what He asks of us is nothing short of what He has already gone through a thousand times over.
"Being a Christian is not for sissies." Well said :) If I am always comfortable, always seeing the same people in the same places, am I truly seeking God's will? "Satan's tendency is always to push us toward one extreme or the other: deadness or fanaticism." This is a good point as well.
ReplyDeleteThanks Kristina ;-)
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