This summer I have the amazing privilege of going on a missions trip to Egypt. There we will be working with a pastor and his wife, Pastor Gamal and Mona, who lead a church in a very southern village of Egypt called Tema. They have devoted their lives and their livelihood to sharing Christ in a nation where 90% are Muslim, going out to the places where the poorest live in the most devastating conditions, and shower them with love, joy, compassion, and grace. Although I have yet to meet these two people personally (but can't wait to have that privilege), I anticipate that they will undoubtedly be one of the greatest displays of a life lived out for Christ I have ever seen; two people who purpose in their lives daily to live out what they know to be true with selfless works.
Getting to witness this example of Christ-like living has me so excited, but at the same time so anxious...as in my own life I know I am far from living this way. In James it talks about faith and deeds, and asking the question of whether our faith without works can save us. If someone is in need and we simply tell them to "Go, I wish you well," but we don't do anything to help, how useless is that? Faith without works is dead. It won't get us anywhere, and won't bear fruit. It creates lukewarm believer, a place that I've been one to many times. But Christ clearly says in Revelation 3 that "I know your deeds, that you are neither cold nor hot. I wish you were one or the other! So, because you are lukewarm--neither hot nor cold--I am about to spit you out of my mouth...you do not realize that you are wretched, pitiful, poor, blind and naked."
Ouch. In living a lukewarm life we lead more people away from Christ than do those who don't believe at all, so why do we keep living this way? It's easier and more comfortable, but also because our eyes are focused on the things of this life rather than eternal life. C.S. Lewis says that "If you read history, you will find that the Christians who did the most for the present world were precisely those who thought most of the next. It is since Christians have largely ceased to think of the other world that they become so ineffective in this." We will be judged by the fruit that our lives bear, but we have to understand God's grace in all its truth before we can truly live it out.
Lately I've been wrestling with this, feeling as though my life hasn't been bearing fruit and my faith isn't always put into action. It becomes stagnant and I get comfortable with it that way. Recently though, I have had to trust in Christ more than I ever have before, knowing that it's the only way I am going to get through this semester. Not sure why I am going through this, nothing drastic or devastating has occurred in my life, but I just know that everyday is a struggle to get through and I've found myself looking for little things each day just to bring back some of the joy. And thinking of it just now, it's become more clear that part of the reason this is so, is because I haven't lived out my faith through works. So much has just been through what I say...yes, this is what I believe. But what is there to show for it? I've become consumed and overwhelmed with the obligations and commitments I have right now, but at times I forget to show even the simplest acts of faith--two of the greatest and most beautiful gifts God has given us...love and grace.
It's a simple start, but it can have the most profound impact and can lead to so many opportunities to share and to bear fruit. It builds and strengthens relationships that are rooted in Christ, which then builds the solid foundation we need, so that we can get moving.
I don't want to live a life in vain. It's much easier said than done, but I don't want a faith that's dead, I want a faith that's alive in Christ. God is so full of love and mercy and grace, that if we fail (which I can guarantee I will), the next day brings new hope and new opportunity. There's so much freedom in knowing this, and that alone brings so much joy and peace...which makes for a great day :)
♥ C
You have hit upon a matter that all will struggle with from time to time. Peter had the revelation that Jesus was the Messiah promised in prophesy and had answered the question from Jesus correctly- Mat 16:13-19 Who do you say that I am. We may know who He is but lack something very important. Peter and the other disciples were very intimate with Christ , but like you say from the quote from C S Lewis that our life prospective is very short term (and selfish) and few have a long term prospective that only a few have. Those are certainly the ones that impact the world for the good and well being for others and not themselves. And remember that on the night that Jesus was arrested, that all His disciples fled out of fear for their own lives and right before that Peter said he would die for Him. They had not received the power of Gods spirit and did not understand how weak our flesh truly is. We must come to a place where God reveals our true heart and our true weakness or we will remain proud and be of no service to Him. When we lay bare and are truly exposed before Him and allow him to break us and come under submission (the way a horse is broke and comes under the submission of the rider is a beautiful example)to Him can we begin to live that life of true revelation of who God really is and the power and freedom He wants us to have.
ReplyDeleteAfter Pentecost and receiving Gods spirit, Peter and the others knew they were powerless doing the work of God without God. History tells us from that time forward how the world was changed because they completely submitted to what God would have them do in this life through the prompting of the Holy Spirit. All this to say, that the valleys that we go through in this life are to bring about revival (change) in our hearts if we press into God through, listening ti His Spirit, prayer, fellowship, reading our bible and removing in our life what should not be there. I love you Slim. See you in a couple of days.
Love Ya
Dad