We are given commandment from God in I Pt 1:16 to “be ye Holy, for I am Holy.” We are also told that we are to "walk in love" according to Eph 5:1-11. How many of us, as Christians, don't seem to obey those commandments. God has not only taught us how to live, by example, but He has also put His Son Jesus to live in us, to equip us to live a Holy life.
Yet, sad to say, many Christians are not "zealous of good works" as Paul writes in Titus 2:14. There seems to be an epidemic of many Christian's spiritual condition. Instead of striving to do God's will, they are striving with each other and not allowing Jesus to be the "Lord" of their life. Instead, they have removed God from His throne and put other priorities ahead of God and His will. It seems to be more important to watch TV than to study your Bible. Or more important to play sports, than to attend Church. Some even put work ahead of Jesus. How can that be? Jesus, who created us, died a painful death on the cross for us, forgives us of our sins, comes to live in your life, .....has to be given a back seat to work. Don't get me wrong, it is important to work, God says "that if any would not work, neither should he eat." II Th 3:10. But many will work all week, work at home after work, work weekends, but never allow time to be spent with God in prayer, studying scripture or attending Church. Or when they do attend Church, they are so exhausted that they can not concentrate, or they fall asleep.
Remember the story of Mary and Martha in the Bible. It starts in Lk 10:38
"Now it came to pass, as they went, that he entered into a certain village: and a certain woman named Martha received him into her house. And she had a sister called Mary, which also sat at Jesus’ feet, and heard his word. But Martha was cumbered about much serving, and came to him, and said, Lord, dost thou not care that my sister hath left me to serve alone? bid her therefore that she help me. And Jesus answered and said unto her, Martha, Martha, thou art careful and troubled about many things: But one thing is needful: and Mary hath chosen that good part, which shall not be taken away from her."
Mary hath chosen the good part. Does Jesus say that of your walk with Him? Are you too busy to find time to "sit at Jesus' feet" by studying His word, praying or attending Church. Even though it is important for us to work, it is more important for us to find time to spend alone with God and allow Him to minister to us. Jesus went up into the mountains alone many times to have time to spend alone with God in prayer.
When we come to Church, we need to be Spiritually ready to worship God. We should have been in communication with Him throughout the week, meditating in His word, being a good witness to bring God Glory in all that we do. We should come to Church on "Fire" for God, yearning to learn more about His marvelous grace, His mercy, and will for our life.
We should attend Church as part of the Body. Each Christian has a unique part in the local "Body of Christ" I Cor 12:27. We can't all be the hand, or foot, or eyes. We each have to be the part God has in mind for us. As we grow, that part is bound to change.
If we come to Church and don't do our part as the "Body", then the body can suffer. The Spirit can be quenched, or hindered. If a visitor walks into church and see's a Sanctuary full of joy filled people that God has changed, and they are singing in the Spirit, humbly praising God, worshipping Him in truth, that visitor will be more easily touched by the Holy Spirit than a visitor who attends a church where no one will welcome them, shake their hand, and where the congregation mumbles the words to Amazing Grace, and that same visitor watches as people pass notes, and read the Bulletin instead of listening to the preaching of God's Word. That visitor will get a sense of the spiritual condition of that Church. How is the Holy Spirit going to be able to minister, if the people are not in a condition to be ministered to. The Spiritual condition of that Church is COLD!
It is sad, but that is the way many Churches are today. But it does not have to be that way. If we will yield to God's will, and make up our heart and mind to serve God, we can be that Church that is joy filled, and worship God in Spirit and in truth. All you have to do is give Jesus His place in your life, where He should be. He is our Lord and Savior. He is to be the head of the Church. He is to run our lives. We need to make time in our lives to allow Him to minister to us. Read your Bible first, then do your chores. Take time to pray, then read the newspaper. If we will put God first, and yield to Him, our Spiritual condition will improve and we can get on "FIRE" for God.
Below is a small test that you can take to test your Spiritual Temperature. Be honest to yourself.
1) What is the most important thing in your life
a. your church
b. your career
c. you
d. your religion
e. Jesus
d. your spouse
2) What are you filled with? When your "cup" is bumped, what spills out?
a. anger
b. bitterness
c. longsuffering
d. selfishness
e. cursing
f. stares
3) If you have not studied God's word today and you have a choice to study your bible or watch Prime time TV after dinner, what would you do
a. enjoy the show
b. study God's word first
c. grab some Popcorn
d. fall asleep
e. watch TV and then read the Bible later while you are falling asleep
4) Given the fact that Jesus can come back at any moment, what is the percentage of chance that God will find you doing His will when He returns.
a. 100%
b. 90%
c. 50%
d. 20%
e. not likely
5) When you attend Church, why are you there.
a. because you were told to go
b. to meet people
c. to check a notch on your church going belt
d. to show off your clothes
e. to show people how talented you are
f. to worship God
6) If you see a brother or sister of Christ in need, do you
a. pray for them and help them
b. tell other people how they must have sinned
c. walk on by and hope they didn't see you
d. say to yourself that it serves them right
e. do nothing
7) When attending Church, do you
a. look at other people to find fault in them
b. hope the sermon is short so you could beat the Methodists to Ponderosa
c. come with the attitude to worship God in Spirit and in Truth
d. tell other people the fault you find in others
e. Read "little red riding hood" books to your grandchildren
f. make as many trips to the bathroom as time allows
8) When a visitor comes to church, do you
a. sit down fast so they don't take "your" seat
b. greet them and tell them you are glad they are here
c. wonder if they are a good "tithe" candidate
d. find out the latest scoop on them from anyone who will tell you
e. pray they won't come back because they are not the right "people" for your church
9) When singing congregational hymn's, do you
a. mumble the words to the song
b. sing loud so people can hear how beautiful you sound
c. look around the room to see what "Suzy" is wearing
d. fall asleep
e. sing unto God with all your heart and soul
f. look at the clock to see what time it is
10) When given the opportunity to tell others about Jesus, do you
a. Tell them how wonderful you are
b. pray someone else will tell them
c. hide the fact you are a Christian
d. pray for God's guidance and tell them about Jesus
e. do nothing
11) When tithing, do you
a. do as the Bible commands and give 10% of your pay, without grudging
b. deduct your living expenses and them pay 10% of what is left
c. save it for grocery money, after all, God doesn't want you to be hungry
d. hold money back because God owes you one
e. make sure someone sees you as you put your money in
12) Do you pray to God....
a, when you have a need
b. when it is convenient
c. without ceasing
d. when someone is watching
e. when you’re at "wit's" end and nothing else has worked
13) When around other Christians, do you
a. talk about the latest news
b. encourage them and speak of God's Blessings
c. tell some good jokes
d. find out the latest gossip
e. change the subject if they start speaking about Jesus
14) During your walk with God, are you
a. tearing down Satan's strongholds
b. staying out of Satan's way by minding your own business
c. doing unto others as they do unto you
d. enjoying what the world has to offer
e. conquering the world on your own
15) If Jesus comes back in the next 5 minutes, will you
a. see him face to face
b. sit there wondering where the true Christians went
c. not even notice
d. complain to God that He missed you
e. continue surfing the web
Click here to view the answers to the test to see if your spiritual condition is in need of a temperature rise. In some cases, your spiritual condition may be dead. Only you and Jesus know what is in your heart. Many people can "play" church with the best of them, but deep down, they know they are not saved. It is also "not of works, lest any man should boast" Eph 2:9. We can not get saved by going to church or by being a good person. You must be born again. John 5:39 says to "Search the scriptures; for in them ye think ye have eternal life". Don't live your life hoping or thinking you are saved, you can know for sure. See I John chapter 5 verse 12 and 13. We can know for sure we are saved if we have the Son. Jesus said in John 14:6 that he is the "way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me."
To learn more on salvation, click here to go to our page on salvation.
I pray that this message was one of personal heart searching and a renewing of your commitment to God. Paul writes in I Cor 14:37 that "If any man think himself to be a prophet, or spiritual, let him acknowledge that the things that I write unto you are the commandments of the Lord. But if any man be ignorant, let him be ignorant".
If you want to be spiritual, you need to obey the word of God. Search the scriptures, judge all things whether they be of God, obey God's words.
If you want to be Spiritually Ignorant, so be it. It is your choice.
