Pastor Althea shared her own story of the crisis experience
that changed her life. For those of us who embrace Wesleyan-Holiness doctrine,
we believe that there comes a point in the life of a believer where he says, “I
believe in Jesus but I am noticing that there is no real distinction between
the way I live and the way non-Christians live. I recognize that I need to pray
for God to help me, by the power of His Spirit, so that I can look more and
more like Him every day.”
Yesterday I was looking at a website of a church which was a
strong supporter of the legalization of same-sex marriage for New York State
residents. Throughout their web pages was a recurring theme: When you come to our church, you’re
guaranteed to find people here who are just like you. We’ll accept you as you
are and you are welcome to remain just as you are. Hmm. I have been looking
for references to Jesus on their web pages. I have not found Him there yet.
No, friends, do not go to church looking to find “people”. And
do not enter into the Christian faith with an expectation that you will remain “just
as you are.” We come to Christ as we are,
but as we learn of Christ’s character we’re encouraged to step onto the path of
becoming who He is. As our pastor
noted, there is a gradual, measurable, noticeable change in character that
accompanies the walk of the believer who is submitted to the Spirit of God.
The book of James, a letter to the scattered diaspora of
Jewish believers, is filled with exhortations asking the believers to move from
mere assent of Jesus as Lord to engagement of a lifestyle that reflects His
character. James says:
- Be joyful when trials come your way.
- Ask God to give you wisdom.
- Remember, all good gifts are from the Father.
- Be quick to listen, slow to speak, slow to become angry.
- Get rid of all moral filth.
- Humbly accept the word that was planted in you; it can save you.
- Don’t just listen to the word; do what it says.
- If you’re religious and a slanderer, your religion is worthless.
- God is interested in how you treat the poor.
- God wants you to keep yourself from being polluted by the world.
And, those ten urgings are only from the first chapter of James.
The remaining chapters contain many more urgings: again, not written to pagans, but to
persons who have already made a
confession of faith in Jesus Christ.
So, what sort of a life are you living? And who are you living
for?
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