Over the past year God has given me great understanding of what He is doing in America at this time. There is a movement of reformation among us. In this movement of God I see many people that are being stirred to question or even becoming unsettled with the statues quo of American Christianity. Dissatisfaction with their faith experience seams to be brewing for many people. It appears to be affecting a broad range of people too.
In this period of “unsettledness” (if I can use that term) people are making choices about what correction is needed. Some leaders are responding by changing the way they perform their Sunday Services. They are adding contemporary music or casual dress. Those that have already made those changes are changing the way they present the church to the public. They are taking their denomination’s name off the billboard. Some are moving into bars to hold church or community interaction times. Others are changing the way they view the truth of Scripture and asking questions about our interpretation of major doctrines like heaven, hell, and homosexuality.
Another group is leaving the structure of American Christianity completely. These people are going into the most evil and oppressed parts of our country and they are living their faith among those that they find there. They choose to work outside the system and apart from the theological debate. What they find in that place is that Jesus is a powerful and transformational God that intends to empower you with the Holy Spirit to transform the world. In that place theology becomes clear and life meets faith. The spirit realm opens up around you and you lose your questions about many things described in Scripture. Walking in this way brings clarity to life and faith.
Walking outside the system and the debate is exactly what Jesus did. He did not debate theology He proclaimed it. He did not walk under the ruling system He challenged it. He did not store up for Himself earthly things or avoid the unseemly He walked above the worldly things and embraced the least.
No matter where you go to church in America these days it appears God is stirring people to seek more. Do not get trapped in into a belief that a change in style or theology is what God is doing. God is calling His people to action. The only thing God needs from us is obedience to the call. Make disciples, feed the hungry, serve the poor, care for the widows and orphans, and house the homeless. Walk in the power of the Holy Spirit to transform the world. The reformation that is stirring is not about style or doctrine – it is about what it’s always been about. It’s about how you live what you profess to believe.
Are you living like Jesus lived?
Thursday, March 24, 2011
Saturday, March 5, 2011
Walk This Way
Throughout Kings, Chronicles, and Ezekiel there are many people that are described as “walking after the way” of someone that preceded them. Ahab walked in the way of Jeroboam. It is said of other kings that they walked in the way of their fathers or the king that came before them.
The idea of walking after someone is communicating that there was a way that was taught or prevalent in the society. This way was followed by choice. The person that chose to walk after someone's way, did not just come after that person but they also did the things they saw that person doing.
In Israel it was often the case that these people whose way was followed would have been leaders. They would have appeared to have God's approval on their life and work. Many times they were set over the religious system of the day.
Even though we can look in hindsight and see that God was unhappy with the corruption of their day, it was likely more difficult to see it if you were living in that day. The same can be said for our day. Many times we walk after the way of someone else. We follow the religious system we were taught to follow. It can be very difficult to see the corruption that has crept into our religious systems. We can overlook it intentionally or we may choose not to look at all. In the end, we must realize that God has given us example after example of how easy it is to walk in a corrupt way because it was how we were taught.
Many times God tried to bring correction to Israel. Many times we see the prophets facing the same people we are told are walking in corruption. Often they cite their position as justification for their right to lead in the way they are found leading. Today we can see a much more polished system in place to keep down prophetic correction. This leaves you in a position of responsibility. You cannot walk blindly in the ways of someone else. Your obedience is your responsibility. Only you will answer for the way in which you walked your life. Maybe the time has come for you to examine what you are walking in and seek the way of the Lord instead of the ways of men.
The idea of walking after someone is communicating that there was a way that was taught or prevalent in the society. This way was followed by choice. The person that chose to walk after someone's way, did not just come after that person but they also did the things they saw that person doing.
In Israel it was often the case that these people whose way was followed would have been leaders. They would have appeared to have God's approval on their life and work. Many times they were set over the religious system of the day.
Even though we can look in hindsight and see that God was unhappy with the corruption of their day, it was likely more difficult to see it if you were living in that day. The same can be said for our day. Many times we walk after the way of someone else. We follow the religious system we were taught to follow. It can be very difficult to see the corruption that has crept into our religious systems. We can overlook it intentionally or we may choose not to look at all. In the end, we must realize that God has given us example after example of how easy it is to walk in a corrupt way because it was how we were taught.
Many times God tried to bring correction to Israel. Many times we see the prophets facing the same people we are told are walking in corruption. Often they cite their position as justification for their right to lead in the way they are found leading. Today we can see a much more polished system in place to keep down prophetic correction. This leaves you in a position of responsibility. You cannot walk blindly in the ways of someone else. Your obedience is your responsibility. Only you will answer for the way in which you walked your life. Maybe the time has come for you to examine what you are walking in and seek the way of the Lord instead of the ways of men.
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