The 5-Fold Necessity
1. PRAYER
"And this is the confidence that we have in Him, that, if we ask anything according to His will, He heareth us: and if we know that He hear us, whatsoever we ask, we know that we have the petitions that we desired of Him." [1 John 5:14-15]
2. BIBLE READING & STUDY
"All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness." "For the prophecy came not in old time by the will of man: but holy men of God spake as they were moved by the Holy Ghost." [2 Timothy 3:16; 2 Peter 1:21]
3. CHURCH PARTICIPATION
Unless I have given myself to prayer and the reading and studying of the Bible, then I can really never begin to understand what the "Church" really is. And, until I know what the Church really is, I can never really begin to understand what my part is in such a vast, living, thriving, growing, "on-going" spiritual organism. Through a planned (disciplined) program of sincere prayer and Bible study we begin to sense the closeness of our Lord and, as He reveals more and more of His mind to our understanding, we develop a concept of life and eternity from His standpoint. Here is where "reality" comes into focus. Seeing things as God sees them will cause us to see His will for His creation, and this should foster a desire to see that will actually being accomplished. Once this desire begins to work in us, we will find that we have, by His grace, surrendered to Him and His will for us in our part in bringing about the accomplishment of His will on earth. A total surrender of all, with the consequental complete submission to His will, is a continual, on-going, on-growing, ever-increasing process of spiritual growth. No one attains to perfection instantly, yet, perfection begins the very moment we aim toward it. No one will ever get any further with God than he or she intends to get. Yet, there are no limits to the depth or height which we can attain to in Him.
OK! So, let's begin from where we are. You can never go back (you shouldn't want to) and the only way forward is one step at a time. Stand where you are and look slowly (and honestly) in all directions. Determine now, in your heart, whether or not you want to be all you can be with God: "Lord, here I am, a little unsteady (perhaps - this is all new to me), a little aprehensive (certainly - I have no idea just where this will lead or all that will be required of me), nonetheless determined (my life and my times are in Your hands and I know You will always take care of me and all that pertains to me). You know me (You know all things), I have fallen short before and I have failed in so many of my own expectations of myself; yet, I have wanted to please You from the beginning. From this point on, I am determined not to look back (on achievements or failures), but to look steadfastly forward, as You lead me (one step at a time) into who and what You will have me to be and do. Thank You, Father, for Your kindness toward me and Your patience with me. From this day forward (by Your grace) I am yours. In Jesus' name, to His glory. Amen."
Begin, first of all, to look upon your brothers and sisters in Christ with a whole new concept. Let God look at them through your eyes as you see them through His. Just as He loves you, He loves each of them. Just as He gave Himself for you, He gave Himself for each of them. Just as He wants you to have His best, He wants each of them to have His best. Our Heavenly Father is no respecter of persons, one is as all and all are as one. This must be our attitude toward one another. Work on this as you must, determine now to see it accomplished in you. We can never get anywhere with God until we begin to sincerely (unfeignedly) love one another to the point of giving ourselves totally for the wellfare of all. Once we begin to be concerned for the brethren to the point of being involved in activity to do what we can for one another we are truly a part of the church. Remember always that no matter how much we care, we must be concerned in the spiritual growth and understanding of our dearly beloved brethren. Let everything we do for one another be in the name of Christ, as unto Christ, for the edification of the other. Does this make sense to you? Read this paragraph again (and again, as necessary) until it becomes clear to you. If you need help, call on me. Bring your sincere questions to me and we will get sincere answers. You cannot really go any further in the work of Christ until you nail this basic concept down. Even if you did so-called great works in His name they will end up as "wood, hay and stubble" in the end if they are not motivated by and through love for the brethren [His Body (His Church)].
With love of fellow Christians, and a heart to sincerely work for their happiness, as the base and the spiritual well-being and growth of each one as our goal at the end, we are now a living part of His Church in this world. Not only will such a spirit begin to draw others into His fellowship through us, but we will find ourselves overwhelmed with an insatiable appetite to have others know Him as we do and to have with Him all that we have. This is "Church" in the Scriptural Full-Sense and Meaning of the Name! We will actually "love our neighbor" to the point of wanting to see him or her genuinely saved and enjoying the abundant life that is available only through His unspeakable love.
Here is where the Holy Ghost begins to reveal Himself "to" and "through" the individual Christians in the Church. You are where you are at His choosing, and you are doing that which he chose you for. Pentecost comes alive now in the total renewing of our "church setting" and it will never again be "business as usual" in any of our churches. As the Gifts of the Spirit begin to manifest themselves, we will find ourselves glowing and growing into Christ. As He is so are we in the world, doing the works that He did while He was here in flesh (and, even greater works than He did will we do).
Open your eyes and begin to see your church as belonging to Him (it does), and standing here on this ground for His purpose (it is). Once you allow Him to begin His genuine work in you then you will begin to love His Church and you will begin to understand His purpose for it, even to the point of being a part of that purpose. She is what we make her to be and she does what we allow her to do. Our church building is an outward sign of what we are inside. Look at it (not with criticism nor condemnation) through the eyes of Christ (loving and caring) and ask from within yourself, "What can I do for my church in order to heal her and beautify her so that my Lord will be pleased with her?" As you begin to care about making her to be more acceptable to Him, you will find an inner joy and happiness of knowing that you are becoming more acceptable in His sight. Somewhat astounding, isn't it? Yet, it is so heartbreaking to realize how little so many know of this basic truth. It is my most sincere and honest prayer that none of us who read this will allow himself or herself to be satisfied with the "status quo" of "church-as-usual" ever again.
Ask yourself these questions. Don't just answer them with basic "yes" or "no" but really check your motivational attitude. Why do I or don't I? You will find out quite a bit about yourself here:
As you ponder over these, talk with Jesus about your thoughts and feelings on each point. These things are not "options" to accept or reject if we truly desire to grow up into Christ, exemplifying the Disciplined Lifestyle of the Victorious Christian. By now, each of us should have experienced some of the inner working of the self-sacrificing submission to God and His will (or at least to have sensed His urging toward it). Let's "grow up" and "go on" with Him for His glory, for the sake of all that is at stake here in this time and in the gathering together to Him in the air.
God bless you as you turn now and start into that direction that was meant for you from the very beginning of time.
More Discussion On Church Participation
TOP
Return To Your Previous Web
Page