I am concerned about the spiritual state of Christianity in America. Sometimes, I want to stand on the balcony and scream, "Stop!" We need to re-direct our attention, or tear down and start over, or something...we are missing the point, and things are getting worse every day. Most people in this country say they are Christians (a majority), yet most of them are "plastic", aren't they? For many, the Christian life is a way to make money, or get a spouse, or assuage a guilty conscience. Where is God?
Here's how the Christian life is supposed to work: 1) Get saved...by grace, through faith. 2) Learn the basic ropes of the "faith", such as confession of sins, Bible study, prayer, and faith. Other concepts can come out of, or be built on, these. 3) Find strength through association with other caring believers, who are studying and growing, and who have others' spiritual well-being in their hearts. 4) Practice Christianity by trusting God through tests and trials. 5) Advance into maturity by faithfully following 1) through 4), so that faith can become strong, God's love can flow, and His power can produce His righteousness.
Something is wrong with the picture we see. Christian books omit Scripture; experiences are replacing the Bible as the source for truth; believers everywhere are preoccupied with financial assets and material possessions (seeking the kingdom last); pastors are telling sad stories and appealing to emotions, rather than feeding the souls of their congregations; pride and competition are superseding humility and edification as motivations for behavior; ego is trumping conscience; and self-serving imaginings are taking the place of prayer.
Weak, lazy Christianity! That's what we have. The solution? Dig it out! Sit at the feet of a "teaching" pastor, but take some initiative in finding out for yourself what the Bible says. Go to biblos.com, type in the word "faith" at the top, and read the verses that are given. Do the same thing for prayer, love, surrender, hope, peace, and so on. You will be surprised how clear the Word is on specific topics. That was the procedure used for all five books offered at this website, and the basis for the 6th book, now underway.
It is time for us to get serious about knowing God's Word, rather than accepting diluted or misleading traditions--or sensory-based experiences--as our basis for Christian living. The criterion for the Christian life is the God-breathed Word that He has placed in our hands. Open it.
Here's how the Christian life is supposed to work: 1) Get saved...by grace, through faith. 2) Learn the basic ropes of the "faith", such as confession of sins, Bible study, prayer, and faith. Other concepts can come out of, or be built on, these. 3) Find strength through association with other caring believers, who are studying and growing, and who have others' spiritual well-being in their hearts. 4) Practice Christianity by trusting God through tests and trials. 5) Advance into maturity by faithfully following 1) through 4), so that faith can become strong, God's love can flow, and His power can produce His righteousness.
Something is wrong with the picture we see. Christian books omit Scripture; experiences are replacing the Bible as the source for truth; believers everywhere are preoccupied with financial assets and material possessions (seeking the kingdom last); pastors are telling sad stories and appealing to emotions, rather than feeding the souls of their congregations; pride and competition are superseding humility and edification as motivations for behavior; ego is trumping conscience; and self-serving imaginings are taking the place of prayer.
Weak, lazy Christianity! That's what we have. The solution? Dig it out! Sit at the feet of a "teaching" pastor, but take some initiative in finding out for yourself what the Bible says. Go to biblos.com, type in the word "faith" at the top, and read the verses that are given. Do the same thing for prayer, love, surrender, hope, peace, and so on. You will be surprised how clear the Word is on specific topics. That was the procedure used for all five books offered at this website, and the basis for the 6th book, now underway.
It is time for us to get serious about knowing God's Word, rather than accepting diluted or misleading traditions--or sensory-based experiences--as our basis for Christian living. The criterion for the Christian life is the God-breathed Word that He has placed in our hands. Open it.
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