“…I (Jesus Christ) know your works, that you have a name that you are alive, but you are dead. Be watchful, and strengthen the things which remain, that are ready to die, for I have not found your works perfect before God. Remember therefore how you have received and heard; hold fast and repent. Therefore if you will not watch, I will come upon you as a thief, and you will not know what hour I will come upon you’.
(Revelation 3:1-3)
Incredibly, reliable statistics (such as produced by Barna, Gallup and the Pew Forum) indicate that there are basically negligent lifestyle-differences between those who claim to be Christians and those who don’t! The supposed unique character of those who are genuine believers is almost indiscernible. Tragically, bad-mouthing others, cheating, hating, lying, etc. are characteristics of a number who claim Christ as their Savior.
Thankfully, that is not true of all real believers! However, numerous believers, known as “Christians,” are dying spiritually. No, they don’t lose their salvation (or eternal life), but they have lost fellowship with the risen Christ. And the greatest tragedy of all – – they simply don’t care! Most Christians are totally oblivious to the eternal consequences incurred through a careless lifestyle!
Such would include a spiritual emptiness here and now as well as embarrassment and loss of heavenly rewards and treasures in the near future.
No wonder our country is in the deplorable state it is in. One of the huge reasons for that is the poor testimony of those who profess Christ as not only Savior, but Lord of their lives!
There is a law etched into the very fiber of this universe: what one sows is what one reaps, and no one is exempt! Our passage (Revelation 3:3) spells out 3 remedies for our malignancy: REMEMBER, RETAIN & REPENT!
Churchianity
“And they continued steadfastly in the apostles’ doctrine and fellowship, in the breaking of bread, and in prayers”.
(Acts 2:42)
Some of you have not attended church for awhile. Here is what you may have missed:
- Same old trite rituals
- A virtual circus of frenzied activities
- Stale messages without substance
- Some of your hypocritical “friends”
- An opportunity to be reminded of your debt to the church
- Being entertained
Here is what you should not have missed:
- Good, sound, fresh, consistent, in-depth Bible teaching
- Time spent together in sharing (testimonies and material goods)
- Eating together and/or partaking of the Lord’s Supper or Communion (only for those who are genuine believers in Jesus Christ)
- A vital time of corporate prayer
Folks, that’s Christianity! What a difference between the early church and the “emerging” church! I’ll opt for the real thing!
Teacher - Feature 