In Part 1 we began to address what so many face, but rarely, if ever, speak of: “Why does it seem like so much of my prayer must be missing the target? What am I doing wrong? I believe the Bible and I’m praying in faith. Why isn’t it being answered accordingly?”
We answered by illustrating the extent to which we, God’s very own, tend to be much more transactional than relational, more accustomed and attuned to ‘doing life’ by mechanisms which eliminate the necessity of being ‘in the moment.’ Punch a few buttons, or speak a few words, and “the whole world” opens to you, but can’t this be at the expense of your “own soul?” As Jesus said: “what will a man give in exchange for his soul?” (Mt.16:26).
Social media posts are a poor substitute for authentic relationships. ‘Likes,’ ‘loves,’ ‘friends’ and ‘followers’ ultimately mean nothing: even the terms themselves have completely lost their meaning. But this approach to ‘life’ is so pervasive there is no longer a truly distinguishing standard of authenticity. For us as God’s people: nowhere does this reveal itself more than in the prevailing, accepted, even preferred, ways of approaching Him. This, by those “bought” with Christ’s own blood of sacrificial death (1 Cor.6:20; 7:23).
The Call
The call to Christ is to the destiny of “the marriage supper of the Lamb,” but The Lord is neither speed dating, nor wanting you to just ‘hang out’ with Him or worse. . . to ‘hook up!’ (Rev.19:6-9).
I ask: doesn’t church itself even often seem that way? Exceptions aside, surface issues get explored, social activities are offered, enticements are included, but commitment...it’s not necessary?
Of course, commitment is made, but only mandatorily by those who do what they faithfully do in the ‘hope’ to somehow persuade people to give their ministries more than just a casual look or occasional visit. ‘Non-threatening’ church is easier to promote, more convenient to attend and less demanding of issuing needs for personal change. And the bigger the attendance becomes, the more impersonal the atmosphere, the more superficial the emphasis and the greater the optionality of it all becomes.
Becoming the preferred, sought after model, when the formation of new works are considered, the focus immediately becomes ‘what will interest people?’ instead of ‘what will be bring glory to God?’ ‘What will provide the basis for the Gospel of the Kingdom to not only be preached, but form authentic God-called kindred relationships, resulting in formation of communities around the mutually beneficial expression of those divine gifts?’
The way we often see people flippantly refer to God, completely socialize ‘church’ and portend to be conducting their ‘spiritual life’ today reminds me of when we were younger and wanted to get to know someone of the opposite sex yet would explain that we were not really asking for a date, but instead for a ‘do.’ Meaning, there was to be no uncomfortable assumption (or danger or threat) of a real relationship, just some ‘safe’ mutual participation in an activity. (Or worse, asking with duplicity).
Authenticating Personal Spiritual Devotion
Don’t we see the same ‘practical’ casualness and method-orientation on personal spiritual pursuits emphasized today? Don’t explore the Bible through specific interest, topical curiosity, and spiritual hunger. Instead, use a pre-planned structural format to make sure you have read every verse (completed the ‘task’).
Is this really how to make sure you don’t miss anything? Or does this allow you to not really even actually think about (let along experience) God? Doesn’t this actually enable you to avoid applying yourself? Doesn’t this excuse you from actually seeking God in ways which put you ‘in the moment’ with Him? Does relegating yourself to ‘doing Bible’ this way intentionally promote the release of His “living and active” Word into your life? (see Psalm 1:2; Mt.7:7-11; Heb.4:12).
“Well, we have to start somewhere.” Agreed. Let’s start by emphasizing that the salvation dynamic itself is the key to the means of conducting relationship with God. Meaning, the way we start with God is the way that we must continue, and the only way we will be able to conclude that we have “finished” (2 Tim.4:7). Let me explain.
Years ago, we were sitting at a restaurant with a leadership team from a church that Nancy and I were ministering to monthly. At that time the Lord was primarily using us in prophecy during meetings after I would first teach the Word. During conversation, a woman asked: “how do you know that what you’re hearing is from the Lord?” I responded, “how do you know to get saved?... God’s Spirit.” “That’s a copout” she said. “No, it isn’t.” I responded. “The same Holy Spirit who speaks and convicts you to yield to God’s love, speaks and leads you to release the Word that is being spoken to you to someone.”
Some might say ‘that just makes you more prophetic than most people.’ To that I would say: everything about God is vocal, verbal and makes a life impact. A real relationship with God can’t be separated from the personal dynamics which result from being with Him.
We Have to Start Somewhere
So, when we have to “start somewhere,” from the onset we should teach new believers that they are to connect with God personally and spiritually, and we should continually remind maturing believers that an authentic life with God absolutely requires the same. Otherwise, we will ‘do Bible’ but not know God; we will gain knowledge, but not “come to the knowledge of the truth” (2 Tim.3:7).
Does this mean we cannot have a structured Bible reading procedure? I would say that for some- if not many people- a structured Bible reading plan is the kiss of death. Why? Because it becomes a placebo, a substitute, a religious box that gets ‘ticked,’ tricking the individual into believing that they have ‘spent time with’ or even sought God.
So, what I say to that is the following: if you allow a structured Bible reading plan to satisfy you as a type of ‘minimum daily requirement,’ then be satisfied with a minimalistic, socially oriented church life, living a natural rather than the Zoe God life. Be content to not hear from God, experience His Spirit, or feel the power of His grace to enable you to walk the life He supernaturally and specifically designed just for you.
I’ll just close with the Words of Paul: “Am I therefore become your enemy, because I tell you the truth?” (Gal. 4:16).
Remember: God The Father would not have sent His Son, Jesus Christ The Messiah, for anything less than to pay the full “price” for a complete “ransom,” replete with the full provision of “exceeding great and precious promises” with everlasting “benefits” (Jn. 3:16-17; 1 Cor.6:20, 7:23; 2 Pe.1:4; Psa.103:1-2).
The LORD always has the best for His people!
Bill Click
