Intentional Christianity

The more I study Gods word, the more I am convinced that the vast majority of the church as we know it today is riding a one way train to eternal damnation. Look around you in the church you attend and consider that most, if not all of those around you… and even YOU may be riding that train.

We preach (and it is true) that Faith in Jesus will save you from the fires of Hell. But what is 'Faith'?

We know that it is not just acknowledgement of His existence or believing in Jesus’ act of propitiation for our sin. The Bible says that even Satan acknowledges these things, and I know where He is headed.

James 2:19 You believe that God is one you do well; the demons also believe, and shudder.

I truly believe that just possessing a fire insurance policy from Jesus while standing in front of Gods judgment seat isn’t going to cut it. If there isn't any evidence of Faith in your life, then you have no Faith and you will hear the words… Away from me!

Matthew 7:22-23 Many will say to me on that day, 'Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in your name, and in your name drive out demons and perform many miracles?' Then I will tell them plainly, 'I never knew you. Away from me, you evildoers!'

The people He was addressing in this verse had way more than just an intellectual belief in who Jesus was… they were driving out demons and performing miracles in the name of Jesus (a significantly larger contribution to the kingdom than most of the pew warmers around you in the church you attend) … but yet, they still missed the mark and were headed to the fires of eternal damnation.

So the question still remains; "what is Faith"?

I think we can look at Jesus’ life for the example. He spent all that He had and all that He was, serving God and us… and told us to do the same. And when the rubber needed to hit the road He paid the ultimate price as a demonstration of 'Faith' in what He said. We can also look at the thief on the cross… He was never even given a chance to demonstrate his Faith… yet he still possessed what Faith was, because based on his confession Jesus granted him eternal life.

So what is this thing called Faith?

Let’s extrapolate what took place with the thief. He recognized who Jesus was and acknowledged it in his life. He recognized his worthlessness before God and in a heartfelt way repented from what he had done… and had he been given the opportunity to live beyond that day, he would have lived the remainder of his life in indentured service out of gratitude to the God who saved him. Just as Jesus lived His life on this earth fulfilling the will of God and serving mankind.

Like the thief on the cross, our life as a Christian must begin with a belief and acceptance in who He is and what He has done for you (first). Then an acknowledgement of our worthlessness before a Holy God (second), and a commitment to changing from whom we were to what He wants us to be (third). Then, from that day forward literally walking in the footsteps of and living for Jesus as a living example and profession of your belief.

Most of those who profess to be Christians mentally take the first three steps… it is in the last step, the act of carrying out the Faith we claim to have that we come up short.

Can you remember your first love or when you first met your spouse and began dating? Did your thoughts ever stray very far from the time you spent together? And when you were apart didn’t you spend time dreaming of the time when you would be back together again. These are the exact same feelings that God wishes to inspire in us. He wants to be an all consuming fire in us, to be all that we want or desire. He wants to be first, in front of everything else in our life.

Mark 12:30 and you shall love the lord your god with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your mind, and with all your strength.'

Matthew 6:33 "But seek first His kingdom and His righteousness, and all these things will be added to you

John 8:29 …for I always do the things that are pleasing to Him."

Think about your own life. Is God a continual part of it? Do you begin and end each day with Him and live continually for Him? Do you dream of new ways to serve and please Him? Or does He reside in a box on a shelf that you dust off on Sunday mornings or only reach for in an emergency?

There is a very high price to be paid for taking a casual approach to developing a relationship with God.

Revelation 3:16 So, because you are lukewarm—neither hot nor cold—I am about to spit you out of my mouth.

God is intentional about His relationship with you… He will accept no less from us in return.