I've been hosting a weekly men's Bible study at my house. We've been reading through Romans, which led us into the 10th chapter last week. Reading this chapter led me into a lot of thought about different things, but two main things I wanted to write about are the number of "Christians" in the South and the fact that I so often hear people say "the hardest thing to pray is that God would use you in whatever way He might want."
Romans 10:1-4 (NKJV)
"Brethren, my heart's desire and prayer to God for Israel is that they may be saved. For I bear them witness that they have zeal for God, but not according to knowledge. For they being ignorant of God's righteousness, and seeking to establish their own righteousness have not submitted to the righteousness of God. For Christ is the end of the law for righteousness to everyone who believes."
James 2:19 (NKJV)
"You believe that there is one God. You do well. Even the demons believe - and tremble!"
The scary truth that I've thought about so many times is that there are so many lost people around me, but they don't know that they're lost. They think that by believing in God, they've somehow obtained salvation. They call themselves Christians and even attend church. Some of them are involved in their churches and talk to their friends about Jesus. James 2:19 reminds us that to believe in God is purely to believe in a truth. Believing in God is not the criteria for salvation as many want to believe. James says that even the demons believe! If our faith, our religion, lies solely in the fact that we believe in God, then we are no greater than the demons that are against Him.
Luke 4:41 (NKJV)
"And demons also came out of many, crying out and saying, "You are the Christ, the Son of God!""
The demons proclaimed, in front of a crowd, that Jesus was the Son of God! Based on this verse, I believe it's possible that someone could devote their life to foreign missions and ministry, yet still miss the gift of salvation. James talks about the fact that it is not works that earn salvation, so there is still something more important than believing in God and proclaiming the name of Jesus that is a necessary criteria for salvation. How many people stop here? How many people around us are calling themselves Christians because they believe in God and talk about Jesus? Maybe it's us.
Let's revisit Romans 10. In the first verse, Paul mentions that it is his heart's desire to see Israel be saved, so they must not be saved yet. The second verse tells us that the Israelites have a zeal for the Lord. They're excited about God. They talk about Jesus with a smile on their face. They laugh and show joy when talking about God. They are the last person in church Sunday morning talking about all that God is, yet... Paul is telling us he wants to see them be saved. How is it that someone can have a zeal for God, but not be saved? How many people around us love the idea of God so much that it brings them joy and excitement, yet they fail to meet the criteria in verse 3?
I believe that the number of "Christians" in the South is actually a huge mission field. Verse 3 teaches us that the way to break away from having the faith of demons is to submit ourselves to the righteousness of Christ. A lot of people fail to submit to Christ, because they want to have control of their own lives. We teach churches full of "Christians" that it's a hard prayer to tell God we submit our lives to Him, when in reality, it's the only prayer that makes us different from demons. But, there's nothing to be scared of... God tells us He loves us as His own children! Consider the greatest parent on the planet, then multiply them in greatness as far as you can imagine... that's our God! There's no reason to continue searching out and seeking our own righteousness, when something far greater is available to us. God promises to bless us in so many ways, just as a earthly father would bless his children. Here is a list of verses referring to blessings composed by Rick Warren: BLESSINGS
When we submit to the righteousness of Christ, we are filled with His Spirit. After being filled with the Holy Spirit, a person should experience the fruits of the Spirit listed in Galatians 5:22-23 as love, joy, peace, long-suffering, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. If these traits are not part of who we are, then we are failing to submit something to Christ. If any part of our life still looks like the works of the flesh listed in Galatians 5:19-21 as adultery, fornication, uncleanness, lewdness, idolatry, sorcery, hatred, contentions, jealousies, outbursts of wrath, selfish ambitions, dissensions, heresies, envy, murders, drunkenness, or revelries, then we are still trying to obtain our own righteousness in an area of our lives.
I typically write about adventure, which is easily seen as an escape from a cityscape into the landscape and the wilderness, but there is a great adventure in submitting to God and following Him where He leads. I never know what's around the next corner. I don't know what tomorrow brings, and even if I plan it, God's plan may be different. I'm always ready for a change of plans, because I know that my Father would never lead me into something that He hasn't already prepared and equipped me for. I don't know where I'm going, but I sure know it's going to be a wild adventure!
Love you all!
I hope you enjoy your adventure!
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