According to a recent ABC poll, 83% of Americans currently identify themselves as Christian. According to your definition, how many of these do you think legitimately qualify for the title?
The Apostle Paul urged the congregants in Corinth to examine themselves in order to make sure they were “in the faith.” (2 Corinthians 13:5) This appeal was given in the context of an upcoming visit where he was concerned that he would have to call out sin in the membership. He was hopeful that they would get their lives right with God before his visit so that he could enjoy his visit with encouraging words instead of experiencing an unpleasant trip focused on harsh correction.
One might ask, “Why did Paul have to speak to a church on something as apparently obvious as the topic of personal and corporate sin?” Could it be possible that Christianity, for some, is more a social membership than a covenant servant relationship with Christ?
Jesus said, “Wherever your treasure is, there the desires of your heart will also be.” (Matt 6:21 NLT). What if there were Spiritual Auditors similar to financial ones. If they were to examine your bank transfers or your Credit Card statement what would they discover? What would the evidence reveal is most important to you?
When young Jesus went missing after a visit to Jerusalem, his worried parents found him three days later in the temple courts listening to and asking questions of the teachers. After Mary and Joseph expressed their irritation, Jesus simply responded, “Why were you searching for me? … Didn’t you know I had to be in my Father’s house?” He appeared confused that his Mother and Father would expect him to be anywhere else.
If the aforementioned Spiritual Auditing Team were to go through your Facebook posts, calendar, Amazon history, Netflix queue and GPS log, what would they discover is most important to you? Would they find your time filled with things of God or is it likely that other more temporal things are foremost on your mind and heart? Does even considering this question bother you? Is your mind quickly filling with excuses and justifications? In Colossians 3:2, Paul tells believers that they should, set their “minds on things above, not on earthly things.” The King James Version translates “minds” as “affection.” Where is our affection?
There has never been a more important time to choose sides. God’s Word is clear. We cannot serve two masters. (Lk 16:13) As the culture disintegrates into a morass of moral and ethical ambivalence, Christians must be focused on the Kingdom of God. Lukewarm faith will not survive the days ahead. (Rev. 3:16) God is challenging us all to let the evidence collected from the fragments of our life to speak loud and clear, “we are Kingdom people!”
Father, draw my readers close to You today. Bless them with love, peace and joy. I pray that You will build their faith and allow them to experience more of You. In Jesus Name, Amen!