Consequential Christians

 July 16, 2024

Tuesday

Are you a consequential Christian? Let me explain.

You have always been in church. You can't remember the first time you went because your parents took you while you were still a baby. Consequentially, you came to know Christ at an early age. You made your commitment with the rest of the people your age. Consequentially, you were baptized at the beginning of a worship service. Consequentially, you went to Sunday School and remained active throughout high school.

Consequentially, you graduated from high school and either got training for a job in college, trade school or on-the-job training. Consequentially, you moved out of your parents' house. Consequentially, you didn't have anyone watching whether you went to church. Consequentially, you go when you want to. Missing church is not big deal. However, you might accept the position of deacon or elder in the church if you were asked. Consequentially, you wouldn't be committed to the position because you weren't committed to the church. 

Morality is not about avoiding the appearance of evil but not getting caught in the evil. Consequentially, excuses are made for any flaw in behavior. You were forced into it somehow. Consequentially, you really think of yourself as a good Christian. You are still a member of a church and you have been baptized. What more is there to do?

Consequentially, you have never led a soul to Christ. Consequentially, you tip God rather than tithe. Consequentially, you are not so sure of your own salvation. Consequentially, you act like those you are with rather than who you are if you really knew Christ.

Consequentially, all this Christian stuff doesn't make a lot of sense when you think of it. Consequentially, you can't hear the message of loving God with everything you are. Consequentially, it all seems meaningless.

What would happen if you truly loved the Lord? All that you do would be for the Lord. It would make life meaningful. It would solidify your salvation. It would make you think you are not worthy to take the position of deacon or elder. It would eliminate all the excuses for the sins that have been committed. You would be committed to the Lord first and then the church. All of this would be swimming upstream. There would be nothing consequential about any of it.

Mark 12:30 (NASB 2020) ³⁰ and you shall love the lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your mind, and with all your strength.’