|
April 28, 2004 Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ, Greetings in the wonderful name of Jesus! May His grace and peace be with you. I want to thank all of you for your letters and prayers. This is an exciting time, things are happening all around and you are destined to be part of it. My heart is heavy with regret that our people are in such a state of complacency. I long to see the Church rise up and denounce the ungodly, wicked behavior that is gaining influence throughout our society. During my lifetime, I have had the opportunity to observe many people as they have dealt with the complexities of so-called normal living. Since February of 1997, those observations have mainly been of those professing Christianity; some in the Horse Show world, others in the business world, and still more in prison. Some grew quickly and flourished spiritually; most floundered. Some made an impact; others made no difference whatsoever. Some grew in Christ; others dried up spiritually and withered away. Some rejoiced and offered encouragement; others moaned, complained, and griped. Some deepened and softened; others became more shallow and hardened. Some grew old with Godly grace and Godly influence; while most just grew older. Many times, I have pondered over the obvious differences and wondered “Why?”
While in prison, God clearly brought to my attention that the people He brought
into my life all had significant problem areas in their lives. My lightening
quick brain took about two years to figure out that each of them was just like
me. That was a significant revelation because I began to understand how it might
be possible to love my neighbor as myself. They were people with problem areas
and although we each tried to solve those problems in differing ways, we did
share the basics of life. In addition, in a couple more months, God brought me
the revelation that, if they were just like me, then I was just like them! We
shared the human condition. We were the same. More than anything else, I believe this revelation is in answer to the deepest cry of my heart. It took so long for me to grasp this fundamental truth, because I needed a lot of spiritual repair to be in a position to accept it. I was not eager to fully commit to anything because I feared what it might do to me and the things I wanted to do. Do you recognize the bug-a-boo of selfishness? I was clearly shown and I pray I might be given the power to relay that message
to you, to quicken you and make you aware of what it takes to become a
“difference maker” in your world.
I have adopted a belief that we will never be able to solve the problem unless
we deal with the root of the problem. So, what is the root? It is not fear or hesitancy to take a calculated risk. It is just plain
Selfishness. Charles Swindoll calls it the “do-your-own-thing syndrome.” It’s
the “if-it-feels-good do it” philosophy of the Humanist. However, I had assumed
that Christians ---- evangelical Christians ---- would not fall into that trap. Among my Christian family, I have seen non-commitment take all kinds of very subtle forms. The “right” activities, church attendance, “correct” doctrine, Bible Study, all these things can easily mask a lack of deep commitment. This creeping worldliness, a desire to be a Christian, but to live like a non-Christian, is very toxic to the Church. Today there is very little difference in the secular lifestyle and that of the Christian. The divorce rates are nearly equal. The rate of pre-marital sex is barely distinguishable. The teenage suicide rates are equal. Alcoholism, drug abuse, sexual promiscuity, and self-indulgence are practically the same in the Church and the World. Consider the recent survey results from Barna Research Group:
The cause is much deeper than today’s psychologists like to even consider. Lack
of commitment to God eventually takes its toll, even in the church. We have been
terribly weakened by this insidious conformity to the way of the world. Must we follow the same path that Israel traveled? The Bible has many stories about people who would not dedicate their lives to God; the innate desire to conform to those around us infects adults, children, and adolescents alike. The desire to be accepted, liked and part-of something is always present. We are never immune! We need to be lovingly accountable to one another. Our productiveness is directly related to our prayer life. Praying together will help us stay on the path that God desires. Sadly, I see people shying away from corporate prayer. I have heard an alarming number of Pastors say that the prayer service is the poorest attended service they have. Astonishing! However, true. Author/Pastor Richard Fosler says, “To pray is to change. Prayer is the central avenue God uses to transform us. If we are unwilling to change, we will abandon prayer as a noticeable characteristic of our lives. The more we pray, the more we come to the heartbeat of God. All the options of life fall before us. At that point we will either forsake our prayer life and cease to grow, or we will pursue our prayer life and let Him change us.” A deep relationship with God takes time and effort. It cannot be formed in just
a few fleeting mechanical moments. And it cannot be built on an emergency basis
either. It takes committed time and effort. E. M. Bounds wrote, “God’s
acquaintance is not made hurriedly. He does not bestow His gifts on the casual
or hasty comers and goers.” The willingness to commit yourself to God and the
Body of Christ is a matter of heart and attitude. We must live for God and
express an attitude of gratitude for what He has done for us. We have become committed to everything but the Lordship of Jesus Christ. I used to marvel at the great numbers who committed themselves to the weight pile or basketball, football or soccer. Because those activities became too important to them, they dedicated their time, their money, and their social lives to the fascinating activity. And because of this commitment, they didn’t have time for prayer, worship, or fellowship with God. They didn’t have money to tithe or use as a gift to the needy. They socialized with their secular buddies on the weight pile, basketball court, softball diamond, football field, or any other place where they had committed their time. The close fellowship with the Christian family didn’t exist or matter anymore. It wasn’t planned, it just happened with very subtle choices, one after another; until separation took place and they became more comfortable with the secular activity than with the body of Christ. With the large numbers of believers in our evangelical churches today, this world, country, state, city and family, ought to be a very different place. The great revivals that have taken place are way behind us. This should be a time of awakening, a time of intense fervent prayer, a beginning to a great and mighty revival of commitment to truly worship, pray and serve our Lord Jesus Christ. Is it any wonder that Jesus asked His faithful disciples, “But why do you call Me ‘Lord, Lord’ and not do the things which I say?” (Luke 6:46 NKJV) We truly are a selfish people. It is time to draw together. Together, we will
have the presence of God continually and we will worship and pray and serve, as
God would have us do. We could then be lovingly accountable and help one another
stay on the path that Jesus prescribed for us. “And do this, knowing the time, that now it is high time to awake out of sleep;
for now our salvation is nearer than when we first believed. The night is far
spent, the day is at hand. Therefore let us cast off the works of darkness, and
let us put on the armor of light. Jesus said to count the cost. The cost of discipleship, the cost of commitment to God is to crucify the self and give yourself wholly to God. Many of us willingly make strong commitments to all the wrong things, the things that move us away from God and God’s people. We knowingly commit our lives to the chosen career, to being successful, to leisure activity, a new home, a new electronic toy, to new clothes, to yards, cars, or to consuming hobbies. Intense commitment to worldly things, keeps us from making more significant commitments to God. I truly believe that most Christians want to commit themselves to God. They
don’t want to live wasted, hypocritical lives. They don’t want to be “lukewarm.”
Understanding commitment from God’s viewpoint would certainly help us re-align
our commitments to agree with the wishes of our heavenly Father. We don’t want
our Lord Jesus to say to us, “I never knew you, go away.” Folks, it takes determined prayer to change our circumstances, to change our
hearts and create a burning desire to serve our Lord, to enable us to commit
ourselves to God’s way. Jonathan Edwards, an 18th century theologian and
preacher, stated his commitment very clearly:
Now, we have information, which will allow us to specifically pray for God’s help and guidance. Please do it often. You are to represent the Lord Jesus Christ until He comes for us. We are charged with the responsibility to occupy the land until that day comes. We have the ability and the virtuous power to be a true difference maker in this world. That is God’s plan; the real question is whether or not the body of Christ, the Church is committed to that plan. Are we living for Christ or self? Please pray and ask for God to help you answer that question from His point of view. Each of us has a place to fill in the Body of Christ, when your spot is unfilled, the Body is severely hampered. Pray often, and honestly. Consult your accountability partner frequently and search for those things the Spirit of God is wanting to help you change.
|