convenient christianity?

[prodigal]

On my way to work this morning, I was reflecting on the last couple months of my life. It has been an incredible time of repentance, renewal and recognition.

For the last couple of years, I have been doing my own thing, sin and rebellion. God has shown me, again, that he is God and that I am not. Unfortunately, it took a 2x4 to the head to get my attention. My wife and I are now separated, divorce seems imminent. Not only was I out of fellowship with my wife, but I was also out of fellowship with my God and fellow Christians. I was about as far away from God as you could get, if that makes any sense.

About five months into the separation a light went on in my head. I began to realize how much pain my sin was cauing my wife and son, and not only them, but also God. At that moment, God allowed me to be broken as I came before him in humility. He has given me the gift of repentance and has restored my relationship with him. He has created a new heart in me and has renewed a steadfast spirit within me (Ps 51:10). God is really so awesome and he is so very merciful.

It has also been a process of continually recognizing my position of total depravity and my total dependence on God.

Which brings us to today's devotional from Oswald Chambers' My Utmost for His Highest. This is located on the home page, in the left column.

Here is the question: "Do we serve God because it is convenient for us, or because He is the only one worthy?" What I mean is, if I had not lost those things that were precious to me, would I have repented? I do not even like to think of that possibility. I know that God is faithful when we are faithless and also that we love him because he first loved us.

That is why I believe that repentance is such a gift. Right now my wife and I are still separated, yet I know that God is able. Of course my prayer is that my wife and I be reunited, however, whatever course she chooses, God is God. Hence, intercessory prayer.

 

[SpiritPsalmist]

Generally, I believe people first come to God because they see a need for Him in their life. I guess that could be called a convenience. We have a need, He meets it.

However, as we begin to grow-up, while He still meets our needs He deals with our hearts at the same time. He wants to change us to be just like Him.

It is getting through those times, knowing that He loves you, where you get to know Him for Who He Is. Then we serve Him for Who He Is.

Here's a great story I read today. Hope you enjoy.


The Story of the Silver Refiner

There was a group of women in a Bible study on the book of Malachi. As they were studying chapter three, they came across verse three which says: He will sit as a refiner and purifier of silver.

This verse puzzled the women and they wondered what this statement meant about the character and nature of God.

One of the women offered to find out about the process of refining silver and get back to the group at their next Bible study.

That week this woman called up a silver smith and made an appointment to watch him at work. She didn't mention anything about the reason for her interest in silver beyond her curiosity about the process of refining silver.

As she watched the silver smith, he held a piece of silver over the fire and let it heat up. He explained that in refining silver, one needed to hold the silver in the middle of the fire where the flames were hottest as to burn away all the impurities.

The woman thought about God holding us in such a hot spot -then she thought again about the verse, that he sits as a refiner and purifier of silver. She asked the silver smith if it was true that he had to sit there in front of the fire the whole time the silver was being refined.

The man answered that yes, he not only had to sit there holding the silver, but he had to keep his eyes on the silver the entire time it was in the fire. If the silver was left even a moment too long in the flames, it would be destroyed.

The woman was silent for a moment. Then she asked the silver smith, how do you know when the silver is fully refined?

He smiled at her and answered, "Oh, that's easy--when I see my image in it."

 

[Gerry]

Convenient christianity? Isn't it always? Thank God for what you pointed out. When we are faithless, He is faithful. ALWAYS!

 

[altya]

Here is the question: "Do we serve God because it is convenient for us, or because He is the only one worthy?"

I serve God because He loves me first, I served God years ago because I needed God badly - maybe because it was convenient then it changed and I served God because He is the only One worthy. Guess this changed and now I just love God completely and follow blindly and obey no mater what it takes.

 

[ZiSunka]

I love what you have written here prodigal.

I had a similar experience four years ago to this day, when I realized that I had been following Christ for the wrong reasons--because I thought it would give me an "in" with God--not because I loved Him for what He has done for us.

I was the turning point in my life, too, the point where I stopped talking Christian and started being Christian!

 

[SpiritPsalmist]

Originally posted by altya


Guess this changed and now I just love God completely and follow blindly and obey no mater what it takes.

I love this answer. When you really get to know Him, that's pretty much how it goes.....

 

[altya]

Thanks, its always nice to rad your postings

 

[Blessed-one]

that was a great testimony prodigal.
we all need repentence, a step to rid ourselves of the old self.

 

[Gerry]

Bump