Hunger Challenge
But He said, “More than that, blessed are those who hear the word of God and keep it!” Luke 11:28 (NKJV)
- There was plenty of socializing but not so much joy.
- There was biblical preaching, but sparse fruit.
- There were Bible studies but little love for one another.
These things can be observed in a lot of “churches” these days. You may enter and see a lot of interpersonal interaction. People genuinely delighted to see each other and worship together.
Looking closer though, one can see that it is a Sunday morning event. The preaching and teaching do not lead to much action.
Praise God He has a remnant everywhere and there are solid believers in most churches. Part of the reason we see so many people coming and going from churches is that people look for what they want to hear. Some want more, some want less.
How many of us are truly willing to be challenged by teaching from the Word of God every week? Do we take it home and try to live what we have learned? Are we serious about our faith or do we just want it to look good at church?
People actually say things like, “They use too much Bible here.” Or, “God is taken too seriously.” Can we take God too seriously or hear too much of His Word?
The lack of sound doctrinal teaching in Christian churches has led to the greatest kind of faithlessness. People are so vague on what the Bible says about God and who He is and even what He expects from His people, that they say things like, “I like to think of God as all loving.”
Any statement about God that starts with “I like to think of God as…” is a problem. We are clearly told that our hearts are deceitful and wicked (Jeremiah 17:9). What we “think,” unless it is fully informed by what God says, is meaningless. It will, in fact, lead others (who know less than we do) away from God.
Our image of God needs to start with what the scriptures teach about the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit. A full picture of God takes more than a quick reading of 1 John 4:8 which clearly states that God is love. How to live that love out requires a much bigger understanding of the scripture.
After a few weeks of attendance at the church described in the bullet points above, the problem became obvious; there was no hunger for the Word of God. There was no true desire to know God. At the root of that seemed to be a spirit of pride (“I like to think of God as…” is a description of making God up to be what we want, ignoring the scriptures.)
The challenge before all who claim Christ is to know Christ, through the power of His Spirit in us, by knowing what God’s Word says.
- Are we taking time to read the Bible and study it on our own?
- Are we “hearing” the sermons, not just sitting in a pew?
- Will we not be hearers only, but doers of the Word?
- When will we take the time to begin a study that leads to action (James 2:26)?
One of my favorite sayings in discussions with non-believing friends is “It doesn’t matter so much what we think of God. It’s what He thinks of us that matters.”
A-men Sister you have definitely said a mouthful! It’s definitely time for sure for us as the Body of Christ to get serious about walking this earth as Jesus Would. God Bless!
AMEN!!!
Great thoughts and ponderings!
This statement is SO important: “Any statement about God that starts with “I like to think of God as…” is a problem. We are clearly told that our hearts are deceitful and wicked (Jeremiah 17:9). What we “think,” unless it is fully informed by what God says, is meaningless.”
We must be very careful when we presume about God on our own.
Thanks and God bless!
You are such an encouragement! Thanks!
Thanks Julie.
Thanks Stephen, May God bless you in your ministry, too!
I might argue with you on this. I think it is very important what we thin k of God. The higher our view of Him, the more we will love Him, appreciate His magnificence, and see His blessings.
I think I would disagree with you on this, David. As Christians, I think it is very important what we think of God. The more we know of Him, love Him, and appreciate His magnificence, the more likely we are to obey Him and receive His blessings. Solid faith and trust in Him can make a world of difference int eh way we live.
Thanks Nancy, I shutter anytime I hear any form of “My God is…”
Blessings
Preach it sister. The really sad part is I think it will get worse in the future. It seems more and more people just want to hear the parts about love and the nice parts without looking at sins, if our Christian walk is easy all the time, we might be on the wrong road.
I think you’re right about more and more people wanting a very weak Christianity. All the more reason for us to keep speaking truth, Yvonne!
We must not get caught up in simply “being at church” for show. We must read His Word and share His message. Great post.
Thanks Melissa, I appreciate your comment.
Amen – let’s be hearers AND doers of God’s Word!
Thanks for agreeing, Jessica! Blessings to you!
Preach! Good word in the right season. Please keep on writing!!
Thanks Michelle, I appreciate the encouragement!
Yes! Such truth here! So many go to churches that tell them what their itching ears want to hear. I’m also thankful for solid believers who desire to grow and show love to one another! Thanks for bringing up great points!
Thanks Emily, So glad to know there are others that the Lord is alive and well in!
Sad but true, Beth. I attend a mega church and we have all levels of commitment and Bible study there. Sometimes I hear people say things like, “I never heard that before,” or “I didn’t know the Bible says that.” This often comes from people who have been around for a while and they refer to some of the more basic truths! I’m on a blog team at my church with a fading presence and I was more or less asked to tone down my message or to be less preachy. Yikes! I hope my wife and I an influence at least a few. It is where God has us for now. Like you said, we need to be doers and not just in-one-ear-and-out-the-other-ers.
Truth! Yes, yes yes! Your description of modern churches and the modern view of the Bible is sadly true.. Loving God means obeying Him, but we would only know that if we read enough of the Bible to find that out. Praying for the Holy Spirit to move with deep conviction for true repentance and following God in the truth of His Word. May all true believers hear His Word through the fog and dust of false teaching. In Jesus’ name.
Stephan, My heart goes out to you! That is a hard place to be. We have been there, too. Someone will benefit or the Lord wouldn’t leave you there. We used to joke with other friends about starting a church. 6 years ago the Lord called us to do just that! We can, at the least, keep the doctrine sound and the view of God high. We do see people come and go because we take our faith too seriously. How we must grieve God! Thanks for reading and commenting. I pray the Lord will show you a glimpse of the fruit He is producing through you.
Great prayer! You are right, only the Spirit of God can change us.