Lately, the Lord has given both Aaron & I such an overwhelming desire to be genuine in our Christianity, and with that to evaluate what being "a Christian" really means to us. How is my claim to be a "Christ-follower" reflected in my life? Is it even affecting my life? What am I doing to change? To make His desires my desires? To put aside my comforts for His perfection? Christianity is not about what God can or will do for me...it's about what I am doing to further His kindgom and His agenda. We've been doing a lot of practical application Bible study recently and (much to my chagrin!) I've been realizing how Phariseacal I really am! I know all the right answers (and they sound really good!), but without application with the right heart attitude, my knowledge is worthless.
James 1: 22-24 ~ Do not merely listen to the word, and so deceive yourselves. Do what it says. Anyone who listens to the word but does not do what it says is like a man who looks at his face in a mirror and, after looking at himself, goes away and immediately forgets what he looks like.
I read this post on my sister-in-law's blog today and it only fueled the desire already planted in my heart!! I long to have such an intimate knowledge of Christ and to walk in such close communion, that my life reflects Him...and only Him. She said it best with, "I commit to immerse myself in Your Word so that who You are is such a part of me that I cannot settle for less."
Amen! In my post "Changing the Way You Think", I mentioned a message by John McArthur about the Word of God transforming us. When we get in the Word we won't stay the same. That's what I want. - Sharon
ReplyDeleteRobert and I have been thinking those same thoughts. I feel like we're a long way still from living the way Christ calls us to live as His followers. I am a lot more like one of the Pharisees. Robert asked me the other day if I was ready. "For what?" "For whatever God calls us to. I'm not going to be lukewarm anymore."
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