Well, My last post was 1 month and 19 days ago I believe. I do in fact realize there's like 2 people probably that read this, so I'm apologizing to a very select group of people. But to you, I'm sorry, life is crazy on the mountain. It's fun none-the-less. I could tell plenty of stories ranging from awkward to amazing and surprising to scheduled. But I will spare them, as I have homework.
"If we continue to live a life of mediocre faith, it will only turn out to be a life of monumental failure." - Jonathan Falwell
JF was the speaker in convo on 9/1 and his message was "we need to get real!" This concept is very near to me - I believe it's one of the major barriers the true church has to overcome and something that I need to constantly be reminded about. Sunday morning christians are killing the way the body is being viewed.
Colossians 2:6-10
6So then, just as you received Christ Jesus as Lord, continue to live in him, 7rooted and built up in him, strengthened in the faith as you were taught, and overflowing with thankfulness.
8See to it that no one takes you captive through hollow and deceptive philosophy, which depends on human tradition and the basic principles of this world rather than on Christ.
9For in Christ all the fullness of the Deity lives in bodily form, 10and you have been given fullness in Christ, who is the head over every power and authority.
There are 4 main points he gave from this passage:
1. Get Real in our Hearts (vs. 6) - The only way to get real is if we are truly continuing to live in Christ. Continually means without ceasing; means not just when it's convenient to us, but all of the time.
2. Get Real in our Faith (vs. 7) - Rooted, built up, and strengthened in the FAITH. This is the central reason for everything we do - our faith. And what good is it to us if it crumbles under pressure or the weight of things we get into?
3. Get Real in our Lives (vs. 8) - We do this through worship and fellowship - the RIGHT way. If we let people get to the vulnerable part of us who are just going to tear us down and away from the Gospel, they have no part being in our lives at all. Worshipping Christ is not only something we do on Sundays.. I should praise God when I go to class, work, or even just in my living room. Saying you're a Christian and living as a Christian are two totally different things.
4. Get Real in our Service - Understand, there is a big world that needs to be reached for Christ. Who are we to play judge and pick who gets to go to Heaven. There is NO partiality in the Gospel. James 2 tells us it is not our place to decide for people.
If we truly want to live a life that doesn't result in failure, we have to abandon our lives; be completely removed so we don't stand in the way. I wish I could get more people to understand this. But this is the best I can do as of now.
Whatever It Takes,
Ryan
