Today, when Christians meet, there is no expectation of anything unusual happening; indeed, what is expected is the usual; consequently, only the usual takes place, planned, predictable and as routine as the ticking of the clock, which directs and governs all. The expectation in the average Church follows the programme approved by men, not the promises proclaimed by a sovereign God.
Powerlessness prevails in the midst of the spiritual ennui and the psychology of non-expectation that pervades the assembly; the weary slaves of the dull religious routine find it impossible to hope for anything better and so, nothing ever does. Occasionally, there is the opportunity to feast on reports of more exciting things happening elsewhere, but soon, the spiritual torpor returns to claim its rightful place. This is not right!
But this is the consequence of the fact that too many Christians want to enjoy the thrill of feeling right without the inconvenience of having to live right; it is of these that Jesus said; “You have a name that you live, and you are lifeless” (Revelation 3:1). It is as though there is no connection between the emotional and the volitional life; as though these are two completely separate compartments of the human personality that are driven by separate motors. Yet, the truth is, they are meant to run together in perfect harmony, the heart, the soul and the mind all yielded up to the rule and authority of Him we claim as our Lord; anything else is spiritual schizophrenia!
But today, we have an unstated doctrine that allows us to claim Jesus as Saviour while denying Him that authority in our lives that must be the natural consequence of His Lordship. This is a false faith, and will inevitably lead to a false salvation.
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