Scripture - 2 Corinthians 11:3 But I am afraid lest as the serpent deceived Eve by his craftiness, your minds should be led astray from the simplicity and purity of devotion to Christ.
Observation - Satan fooled Eve into believing she could progress further spiritually apart from the Word of God. She could obtain (spiritual) knowledge of good and evil even though it might violate or neglect something that God had commanded. After all, how could God deny her the deeper spirituality - that wouldn't be fair.
Many in the church are led astray from "the simplicity and purity of devotion to Christ" in the search for a spiritual experience. They believe the simple and pure devotion to Christ is for the baby Christian. The mature Christian can venture in "Holy Spirit" power. Whereas the mature Christian may be established enough to walk in God's Spirit and power the danger comes when a church body is created for this "mature Christian" experience. What happens when new believers are created in such a church? They will lack foundation and base their devotion on experience and feelings.
Application - Every church needs to be prepared to teach and disciple new believers in the elemental things of their faith. Believers need to be taught NEVER to stray from the simplicity and purity of devotion to Christ. Churches need to begin such a ministry with mature Christians who will not throw "spiritually advanced" things on their disciples, but will stand beside them and nurture them on the foundational principles of our faith - our relationship with Christ.
Prayer - Lord, you begin the work in each new believer. Your cross is the source of all grace we receive. Never let us stray far from that fountain of grace. It is there we find you waiting and nowhere else. Amen.
No comments:
Post a Comment