Do you ever make the time to unpack what you read? Consider Rom 1:20. Ever since the creation of the world his eternal power and divine nature, invisible though they are, have been understood and seen through the things he has made. Does this mean those who have never seen a Bible or heard a missionary are without excuse? Mat 29:19-20 says, "Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything that I have commanded you...." What did Jesus command? Mat 22:37-40 “You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your mind. This is the greatest and first commandment. And a second is like it: You shall love your neighbor as yourself. On these two commandments hang all the law and the prophets.” Does this mean that those who have never seen a Bible or heard a missionary would none the less recognize love for God and love for others?
Some say we are only animals, higher on the food chain than others, distinguished by our thumbs. Others say we are all thumbs, incapable of functioning properly. In the Biblical commandments is God setting in motion two powerful relational initiatives that anyone, with or without thumbs can recognize?
Heb 10:20 says that Christ initiated a new and living way for us to have relationship with God. Have we replaced the ancient Temple curtain with business, with people? Are these relational initiatives important enough for us to make time for God? Do we really want to escape the rat race or are we addicted to noise and business?
Can God call us friend if we refuse to be alone with God? God seekers must learn to be still. What is more important than intentionally making time to be with God with open hearts and closed mouths?
Do you think God sent Jesus to this world so we can pay tithes, attend church faithfully, join a small group, volunteer for ministry, sing with the worship team? Is seeking Christ the same as being a Christian?
In Mat 22:37-40 Jesus said upon these two principles; loving God and loving one another, all of the prophets, the Torah, the Ten Commandments, everything rests. Can we love those who disrespect and despise us if we don't take on the nature of Christ himself? (Matthew 22:40) How do we take on the nature of Christ if we refuse to be alone with God?
Kenneth Boa said that, "Another way of summarizing our calling and purpose as followers of Christ is to love God completely, to love self correctly, and to love others compassionately."
Do you know someone who only calls when they want something? Do you know someone who only wants to talk about them self? Do we really want to have a conversation with God or are we only interested in presenting God with our petitions? Does God have anything to say to us? If so, do we hear better when our mouths are closed?
How do we love ourselves correctly? Is our relationship with God the most important thing in our life? Should it be if loving God with all our heart is the greatest commandment? Would you say then that this relationship with God defines who we are? Does that mean that loving ourselves correctly means seeing ourselves as God sees us?
Do you ever sit quietly trying to unwrap scripture for yourself, or are you content to have others tell you what it says, what it means, how it applies to your life and your relationships? If so, is your so called Christian relationship with God, or is it with your pastor, teachers, friends, tradition?
Despite our denials, most of us are sensitive to the opinions of others. We shrug our shoulders, build and hide behind our walls and live life as if the arrows fall harmlessly off our back. They don't. The only way to be truly free is when we begin to understand who we are in Christ; who sent us, who sustains us, who rewards us.
Is God the center of our life or is God a component of our life? Is God all or a part? Is God a Sunday only, church only, ministry only God? Do you ever wonder, "If there are so many Christians why aren't our relationships with one another better?"
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