Can You Really?
About 18 months ago it was brought to my attention that someone had fallen off the grid in regards to church attendance and so I was asked to meet with them and I did. Its no one that you would know but just for the sake of discussion let’s say it was a she. She assured me that I had nothing to worry about that she still believed in God and the Bible but that she was going to take some time off from the Christian lifestyle. She figured that she has plenty of time and that at any point in the future she can simply clean up her lifestyle, grow up, become spiritually mature again and get involved in church again.
The question is…is it true?
It wasn’t for Samson. He was anointed but had two flaws that he never overcame: revenge and women. One day, finally, the Bible says, (Samson said) “I will go out as at other times an shake myself free but he did not know that the Lord had left him.” Judges 16:20. Later of Saul, who was also anointed but tended to simply do things his own way it is said, “but now your Kingdom will not continue. The Lord has sought out a man after his own heart and the Lord has commanded him to be prince over his people, because you have not kept what the Lord commanded you.” 1 Sam 13:14
I think she’s deceiving herself and that she may go down in history as just one more young adult who thought that by doing her own thing she was getting what she really wanted in life only to waste away some of her most foundational years and placing her future at risk.
So, can you really just turn spiritual maturity on and off like a light switch?
You see, I don’t know for sure if you can. Be forgiven and receive mercy? Absolutely yes. God is the God of the 2nd chance-we all know about this via Jonah and that He is able to restore the years that the locust consumed. Got it. What I’m talking about is wasted time and opportunity. Ps 90:12 says,
“Teach us to number our days that we may get a heart of wisdom”. (Interestingly its not number our years, but days). Unlike knowledge, wisdom is the possession of good judgment and moral insight. Its’ acquired by being a good steward of our days
Jesus said that the enemy comes to steal, kill, and destroy (Jn.10:10). I believe time is one of the things the enemy tries to steal from us. So, may we humbly number and steward our time by seeing each day as a gift from God so that we acquire a heart of wisdom.
posted by Bobby at 4:19 PM
7 Comments:
Wow, when we fall in love with Christ, to just walk away because we want to go back and wallow in the pigstye, makes one wonder if the commitment was real or just an emotional "high" for awhile. Living a Christian lifestyle can seem like swimming upstream in this world sometimes. But geeze, to just walk away to have some "fun" makes me wonder if this person knows what a PASSIONATE and sold out life for Christ does to your satisfaction meter. Finding authentic Christians to do life with does not come automatically
but "returning to the vomit"(Prov.26:11) or sticking with the Lover of my soul was never a big decision for me. Being captivated by Christ made it a no-brainer. But sometimes, our gentle God will allow someone to wander off just so they can get homesick for Him. The tricky part is knowing if this person ever really knew Him to begin with....
Great post Bobby...keep feeding the meat!!
Jenn
4:59 PM
The problem with such spiritual procrastination is that typically the person really hasn't given up or doesn't want to give up their old lifestyle. And going on a sin ride won't make he or she grow tired of it. Just like any procrastination, every new day will be another day he or she decide to wait another day.
Ricardo
5:44 PM
This comment has been removed by the author.
7:49 PM
Are we missing the point here? The phrase “spiritual procrastination,” sounds really good, and the reference to Proverbs 26:11 is very incisive, but are we actually addressing the severity of this person’s decision. I don’t believe questioning the authenticity of his or her relationship with God, within the context of the discussion, serves any viable purpose. So far, it seems like the answer has been lost somewhere in a pile of intellectual commentary and apparent bewilderment.
I am in no way implying that either of the previous bloggers are insincere, or somehow less compassionate. But let’s not miss the point. People need answers, not observations. I know that sounds a little contradictory based on my introduction, but the “answer” is in the text. The question is, “what are people looking for?”
The question: “So, can you really just turn spiritual maturity on and off like a light switch?”
No. At least not genuinely mature. Maturity carries with it the presupposition of time, development and experience. It can be difficult enough, at times, to become spiritually mature within an assembly of believers. Let alone outside of one.
As Bobby pointed out, thankfully, it is a very rare occasion that God is unwilling to lavishly pour out His love, grace, mercy and forgiveness upon us. However, I believe there is also another question of monumentally critical importance (I sincerely hope you have the chance to read this, person I only know as “she”) That is,” Once we have made a decision to walk away from our relationship with God, will we then have the opportunity to reestablish that relationship?
Often we as Christ followers mistakenly attribute “spiritual maturity” to our own bad decisions or experiences. Which I believe is only testament to the incredibly redemptive ability of God to “works all things together for good.” (Romans 8:28) I realize the caveat to this passage is, “of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose.” My point is, when God “puts the pieces of life back together” He does it in such a manner that makes it “look” like that was His plan all along. But because sin is never God’s “plan,” we must correctly attribute the outcome to His miraculous “redemption” rather than isolating the results to any series of bad decisions or experiences.
I believe it the misperception of the aforementioned dynamic that causes so many young Christ folloers to say within themselves, “I’ll just take a break for a little while and experience life.” Many times believing they may even emerge a better person when it’s all over. Proclaiming, “The experience will help me , relate to others.” That is a lie straight from the depths of Hell. In fact, it is the same logic Satan used in the Garden of Eden to deceive Eve.
"You will not surely die," the serpent said to the woman. "For God knows that when you eat of it your eyes will be opened, and you will be like God, knowing good and evil."
Genesis 3:4-5
Once we make the decision to surrender the territory of our life, we surrender the right choose how much of that territory can be taken from us. We can always decide “what we do,” but we can never decide “the effects” of what we do. It is a game of Russian Rolette for which the consequences extend far beyond the reality of this life. A person may be able to decide when they will walk away from God, but it is inconclusive, at best, to assume that one will have the opportunity to return to Him. It’s playing with fire.
Can a man take fire to his bosom, And his clothes not be burned?
Proverbs 6:27
I hope for this young girl’s sake she’s right. That one day, like the prodigal son, unsatisfied with the world, her silhouette will astonishingly appear on the horizon as the sun setting. And her Heavenly Father, full of love and compassion, rushes out to meet His long lost child in the field.
Unfortunately, that is only one of many alternatives…
Thymos
3:36 PM
I will definitely be praying for her/him. From personal experience, I know what it feels like to "fall off the grid" because of an ungodly relationship or something else that becomes a serious idol and clouds out everything else that is good and holy. It is not a fun life...it is truly chasing after the wind. Nothing of the world satisfies...without God there is no good thing. I thank God I am back in His loving care. And I pray the same of this person, that they see that this world is temporal and fleeting and that Christ is eternal. Thank you Bobby for investing in this person's life and being Jesus with skin on to them.
Hugs, Joy (aka Moxie Crimefighter)
10:36 AM
I hear your passion, brother. I hear your heart and your desire to touch others. I am in awe of your love for Christ and in HIs work in you.
I'm so blessed by you and all the work you do, BB. Glad you are home safe.
11:31 PM
Hey DB,
I just got caught up on some of your post today. I found this one to be most touching. I would be the first person to acknowledge that there are seasons of revolt that can come and we have to determine if we follow the temptation or not. To me that is what is really going on. I imagine maybe others things are happening in or around this persons life that well, the Jesus we know would probably not desire for one his children to be a part of and well, it's easier to cut off your faith than to play the harlot. She is at least being forthcoming. How many Christians pose one way but have inner lives opposite, in speech and actions. So for her admission I give her credit. I learned somthing so valuable in the 6 years as a Christian,that is you can never underestimate Love and enduring patience, loyalty. When you choose to be that kind of person you might be hurt quite a bit but it serves you in the end because ultimatly your the one that broken person comes back to, because you never closed the door, judged or set them in box limiting who they could be. You were just there. Always there...like you and I for example. I knew you before I was a christian, I can go months with out seeing your face, yet, we never forget our freindship. That is what I hope this person takes away from their time with you. That you can pray for them, but when or if they come back you will be there arms open, and in the meantime you can do what the gals did with me when I wasnt sure about even being a Christian, they just called out of the blue to say, hey, thinking of you....
Those kinds of actions are better than anything you or I could try to say to detour them,,, somtimes just sitting across them. I find that to be the best kind of care....i have had many blessed relationships from non-Christians being love and goodness. They know they count on me..just like this gal now knows in her world she will always be able to count on you..that kind of loyalty is rare these days. I one blessed gal to have it!!!
blessings,
Enriqueta
5:34 PM
Post a Comment
<< Home