The Apostle Paul tells us in Romans 15:13, “I pray that God, who gives hope, will bless you with complete happiness and peace because of your faith. And may the power of the Holy Spirit fill you with hope.”
That’s rich, isn’t it? I have a theory that the church is missing the faith component this passage mentions. Did you notice that joy and peace come as a result of faith?
Hebrews 11:6 says, “… without faith it is impossible to please God…”
When is the last time you did something, made a decision that was based on your faith in God?
“Faith makes us sure of what we hope for and gives us proof of what we cannot see.” (Hebrews 11:1) Is it just me or does this challenge you? I wake up every day wanting to be a “God-Pleaser.” How can I best achieve this goal? Well, Hebrews 11 over and over says, “By faith, by faith, by faith.”
I could be wrong, but what I think we do is weigh all the odds, get out a legal pad and write down the pros and cons and then we make a decision based on a first world context.
Listen, I love you but I have to tell you the truth: that’s not faith, that is simply doing what’s best for us. That’s not Peter getting out of the boat and walking on water thinking is it? (Matthew 14:22-33) Where does God fit into our decision making?
I get the feeling that the church lives just like the world and that makes me sad. Not only that but I don’t think Abba Father is too thrilled about it. I think Jesus died for us so that we would and could live a life that is commensurate with His sacrifice (Galatians 2:20). Does that make sense?
In his book, Discovering The Good Life, writer Tim Savage says as Christians we should wake up every day with an “unbridled optimism” and “greeting each day with enthusiasm” and we should “celebrate life without reservation and without regret.”
However he writes, “what most people are celebrating takes place in spite of life, to drown out life’s disappointments and to distract from life’s demands. We live for the weekend get away, the excitement of a new movie coming out, the big game on Sunday night. These are the things we celebrate but they are nothing more than diversions from life.”
I would think a life full of hope, joy, peace and confidence, a life that knows “all things are possible” (Matthew 19:26) would emerge through a living, daily faith in a risen Savior.
Todd Wagner is the former lead pastor at Watermark Church in Dallas. He says, “If the thought of church doesn’t thrill your soul, the only conclusion is that your church experience is counterfeit, because the real bride of Christ is drop-dead gorgeous. The real bride of Christ is welcoming, inspiring, courageous, life giving, awe inspiring, mesmerizing and beautiful. So beautiful that anyone who sees her and knows her will be compelled to encourage everyone they know and love to come and see her.”
Oh to be faithful! I want to trust the Lord and His plan for the church. I don’t know about you but I want to be drop-dead gorgeous, strong and courageous, ready to receive all the blessings God has planned for me. How about you?
He asked me to ask you that.
“Children are a gift from the Lord; they are a reward from him.” (Psalm 127:3)
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