Tuesday, April 26, 2005

Unsaved who go to church

There are churches and entire Christian denominations full of people who are not yet saved. These people go to church on a regular basis, give of their time and money to the church, yet they do not know and have not accepted the gift of grace through Christ. And it's not just the mainstream cults that fit this description. What these people have been told and what they are trying to do is earn God's love through their actions. All of their good works are motivated by a "got to do it" attitude. If you stop and think about it, that's what the worldly stereotype of Christianity is - earning your way to heaven. That's what I thought it was all about before I was saved.

In contrast, someone who is truly saved… who has salvation through accepting His gift of grace... has a whole different motivation for their good works… love. The love that was shown to them on the cross shines through them in a "get to do it" attitude. They recognize that God loves them and has loved them all along… Enough to bear the punishment for their sins past, present, and future.

So these people described in the first paragraph above have a couple distinct characteristics. They are not yet saved but they think they are doing the right things to get there. However, they go through life not really sure if they are "good enough" yet. Unlike some people you may share the gospel with, they already believe in God and most believe in Christ (even some of the cults). The message of true salvation may sound too easy to them. Yet in their attempt to add to the grace of the cross, they unknowingly make a mockery of and cheapen the perfect gift.
Let's pray for these people this Wednesday as we fast. Let's pray that they find the truth, start a relationship with Christ, and enter into the assurance and life change that such a relationship brings.

Have a great week and a great fast.
Your brother in Christ,
Bob

Monday, April 18, 2005

Forgiveness

I was just looking back over the past messages and I was surprised that we've never had "forgiveness" as our topic.

Matthew 6:14 says "For if you forgive men when they sin against you, your heavenly Father will also forgive you."

This is just one of the many references in the bible on forgiveness. Is there someone in your life right now that you need to forgive? Is there someone who you claim you've forgiven but you really haven't? Or, perhaps you are the one who needs to ask forgiveness from someone you've wronged. If you don't fall into at least one of these three categories, you may need to pray about denial :)

True forgiveness is both an act of humility and an act of love. It's like saying "Even though you wronged me, I can lay that aside and I can lay my pride and fundamental desire for fairness aside so as to wipe the slate clean for you." Additionally, true forgiveness frees the forgiver from reliving the hurt over and over again. Conversely, holding on to a hurt without forgiving can spoil the fruits of the spirit. Christ can't shine through an unforgiving heart.

Have a great week and a great fast.
Your brother,
Bob

Monday, April 11, 2005

Comparison

We are taught to compare and compete from birth. From sports… to our jobs… our cars… our clothes… possessions in general... our accomplishments… We're taught that success is being the best, having it first, owning the most - good old selfishness. It's where the world thinks self-esteem and self worth are found. The advertising industry banks on it. Their messages entice us to feed our egos by staying ahead of the pack.

When we got saved, all those things that we learned and competitive habits that we formed didn't just magically disappear. So this Wednesday, we are praying about comparison. We are praying that now that we are a new creation, we stop comparing ourselves to others. Pride is the root of comparison and comparison can lead to envy and jealousy. It's silly for us to compare or compete with unsaved people. When we got saved, our priorities did a 180 degree turn. But equally dangerous is comparing ourselves to other Christians. For example, I'm not very musical. I could look at one of my Christian friends who is musical and say "Boy, why can't I be that musical? God really short-changed me there." Conversely, I should say "I am so thankful for this musical brother of mine. God's gift in him really blesses me." We all have a unique set of gifts God designed just for us to be used in a way which He designed just for us. Our longing after others gifts or comparing our gifts to others misses God's purpose. I would propose that the only comparing we should be doing is to ourselves. Ask questions of yourself comparing today with yesterday. Questions like the following:

1. Am I using my gifts better?
2. Am I more in God's will?
3. Is my love more like the love of Christ?

"Each one should test his own actions. Then he can take pride in himself, without comparing himself to somebody else" Galatians 6:4

Have a great week and a great fast.
Your brother,
Bob

Monday, April 4, 2005

Sin

The prayer topic for this Wednesday is sin. Sin, at least the realization of our sinful nature, is the first step to salvation. That is, we need to realize we are sinners before we accept the idea that we need a savior. Yet, I would propose that a smaller percentage of people today think they are sinners than 10 years ago. And probably the same can be said for 10 years ago when compared to 20 years ago. So why is this? It seems that the bar is being lowered. Things that were considered sinful 10 years ago are now acceptable (or at least quietly rationalized). The fact of the matter is that the bible's definition of sin is not evolving the way society's has. As we fast this week, let's pray about this lowering bar. Let's pray that the bar doesn't continue to lower. The conviction of sin is needed to convert those who don't yet know Christ. And it's needed to keep the saved close to Christ.

If you have time, read and reflect on Romans 7:7-25 this week.

Have a great week and a great fast.
Your brother,
Bob