It’s easy for new converts of the Christian faith to attend church every time the doors open. They are excited about the new found hope and change that took place in their life. They finally found what they were looking for…peace, joy and happiness.
God provides an abundance of His love that fills a person to overflowing, which creates a hunger for even more of His blessings. It’s called, “The abundant life.” When Jesus Christ establishes residence in one’s heart, desires and goals change for the better.
The problem that many people face as babes in Christ is the dependency on feelings vs. a deeper understanding of their faith. Sunday school lessons and sermons from the pastor are certainly important and provide a foundation to help build upon, but establishing solidarity of their faith through dedication to prayer and the study of God’s Word is imperative. Relying on feelings alone to determine position in Christ are just that, feelings. Feelings change, but God’s Word never changes.
We must walk by faith, not feelings. (Romans 10:17) “So then faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God.” Newness of the born-again-experience can become stagnant and old if not cultivated through reading the Bible. It establishes stability and confidence in one’s belief. (Psalms 119:105) “Thy word is a lamp unto my feet, and a light unto my path.”
Young Christians and those having been in the way for years that fail to feed on the bread of life, the Bible, serve God out of habit rather than dedication. True commitment of giving their all for the cause of Christ becomes secondary to individual feelings that change. They go to church out of routine, not desire. They pass up opportunities to witness for the Lord, because they feel inadequate to do so. There’s that word again; feel.
It becomes easier not using their talents for God, while criticizing the work of others in church. (St. Matthew 7:1, 2) “Judge not, that ye be not judged.” v.2 “For with what judgment ye judge, ye shall be judged: and with what measure ye mete, it shall be measured to you again.”
Playing church is dangerous not only to spiritual growth and well-being, but to the example that others see in us, or lack thereof. True commitment to God keeps our walk with Him alive and healthy.
There is nothing worse than seeing someone that was once on fire for the Lord now sitting on the back pew in church, untouched and unbroken when God’s Spirit is moving in the midst of His people. They are playing church; lacking true commitment.
That first love-experience with God can be re-kindled through a sincere prayer of surrender and re-dedication. No longer does a person need to wish they were close to God like they once were, because God will again reveal Himself to a soul that is hungering after righteousness.
By simply asking for a new touch from the Lord and then moving out of the comfort zone that was self imposed, they can once again be used of God. New zeal in doing His work, which was missing in their Christian walk, will come alive as they step out in faith and not allow feelings to govern.
God wants us to be happy. Christians are happiest when using their talents to bless others, while supporting those that are weak in the faith. (The Acts 20:35) “I have shown you all things, how that so laboring ye ought to support the weak, and to remember the words of the Lord Jesus, how he said, ‘It is more blessed to give than to receive.’ ”
The Golden Rule can be applied to the Christian’s way of living. It becomes a reality when put into practice. “Do unto others as you would have them do unto you.” As we learn to give away from ourselves, if only a smile or word of encouragement, it comes back to us. As Jesus is presented in love, new souls are added to the Kingdom of God
Let us shake ourselves from the complacency of playing church and commit to getting something done for Jesus, while there is yet time.
Written by,
Papa Boyd
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