Stopping to Think

1 Peter 1:12 “It was revealed to them that they were serving not themselves but you, in the things that have now been announced to you through those who preached the good news to you by the Holy Spirit sent from heaven, things into which angels long to look.” Where is the awe? I often become discouraged when I look at the lives of the Christians around me, and eve more so when I examine my own life. I look at what Scripture calls us to (holiness, see 1 Peter 1:15-16) and compare that with reality, and this is a recipe for disappointment. I read and hear the accusations from the world of hypocrisy in the church and often am left with nothing but, “yep. You’re right. We’re hypocrites.” This despairing and judgmental attitude is usually sinful, and honestly I wouldn’t suggest trying it out. It puts you on the fast track to depression. But it does give me pause to consider what some of the causes of worldly, hypocritical, disingenuous Christianity are. As I have been studyi...

Last night over in Harrison, I had the privilege of listening to Wayne Eve speak on Christian "posers." That is to say, those people who are so called "nominal Christians." He went over what a poser looks like, and contasted that with what God has actually called us to.  And as I lay in bed last night afterward, I couldn't get the topic out of my mind, and my thoughts were churning relelntlesy.  I had to get up and open the Word, and God pointed me to Hebrews 10, and what I saw there is what I'm going to write. You see, in Scripture there isn't anyone who could be called a "nominal" Christian. The term really is an oxymoron. Claiming the name of Christ without a willingness to lay aside all earthly things is of no lasting value. Romans 10:9 says that if you confess with your mouth and believe in your heart you will be saved. It sounds so incredibly easy. But then if you turn back to John 3:36 you will see the unmistakable link between belief ...