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Friday, January 07, 2005
Sometimes I get very discouraged by walking around in a Christian bookstore. Not necessarily because of the nature of retail establishments...I have no problem with a shop owner making a profit, especially since these particular places carry a lot of books and music that I enjoy and can't always purchase at just any bookstore.
I also don't care much if they have to charge a bit more for pencils and wristbands and t-shirts that have "Jesus" stuff written on it if it keeps them in business. I mean, grocery store owners do the same thing marking up some items knowing you'll come in to get more. I mean, it is a business, not a church.
What I mean is I get discouraged more by the titles of books that are "best sellers." I won't list any here because, generally, the authors are trying to help out, but any book that has a number in the title or hints that there are "steps" to follow to be a disciple...
...well...
...let's just say they're off the track a bit. At least from the ones I've seen.
As I've stated the case in my earlier postings on this topic, the only way to grow spiritually is to change the way you think. The goal is not to conform to this world, but to transform by "THE RENEWING OF YOUR MIND." (emphasis mine)
So, as I see it, in order to grow spiritually we have to go from thinking like we think in the flesh to thinking like God thinks. The obvious questions would be "how" and "why" do we do this?
Grab a Bible and turn to John 8. Read verses 31 & 32.
"Jesus therefore was saying to those Jews who had believed Him, 'If you abide in my word then truly you are disciples of mine.' and 'You shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free.'"
First of all, notice who Jesus was talking to: Those who had believed in Him. It's very possible to be a believer and not be a disciple. There's something that separates the two...so what is it?
We find it in the "if...then" statement that follows. If we abide...
...live there, not just keep our stuff there...
...in His word, then we're truly disciples.
So, we have to live in the words of Jesus. And, in 2005, the only way I know to live in Jesus words (since we can't sit at His feet and here the sermons anymore) is to read the Bible. It says that it's the very breath of God. It says that it's profitable for helping us mature. It tells us it's able to judge the thoughts and intentions of the heart. It tells us that the goal of itself is love...both for God and for each other.
It's a special book...and while Shakespeare or whoever is your favorite brilliant author may move you emotionally, their works never make the claim to give you your own personal life revolution. Nope. The Bible makes some pretty outrageous claims, alright, and changing your life by showing you "truth" is one of those claims.
So, somehow, someway, you're going to have to find ways to live in the Word. And, frankly, it's easier now than ever before. With CD's, different translations that make it easier to read, on-line stuff, well-learned teachers in almost every city and church, and even reading on your own, all you have to do is read a passage of the Bible and ask yourself, "What does it say about God, and what does it say about/to me?" If you think about those things, you'll find yourself living in truth in no time...and, in reality, there are plenty of ways to get truth these days.
The other question was "why" bother? Well, verse 32 has the answer. Truth sets you free. And who, if given a choice, doesn't want to be free instead of being held captive? And, if truth sets us free, the opposite of truth (lies) holds us captive. Everybody is going to be one or the other...and if you hold to any lies of the world (the opposite of the truth of God) then that lie will keep you from living the truly abundant life no matter how "good" that lie may seem.
So, for today, try to think of ways to get more in God's Word so that you can "live" there instead of merely "keeping your stuff there." Because no one wants to be held prisoner by anything, right?
Brent 5:03 AM
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