Tuesday, September 17, 2013

Adolescent Christianity? You decide!

I found this video thought-provoking. He makes some very valid points about what makes for a maturing faith vs. an "adolescent" one.


 So, what kind of faith do you have? An "adolescent" faith that focuses mainly on how you "feel" about God, yourself, and what's happening, or a maturing faith that goes far beyond what you feel. Paul writing to the church plagued with divisions caused by people's preferences (over different church leaders)states: "Brothers and sisters, I could not address you as people who live by the Spirit but as people who are still worldly—mere infants in Christ. I gave you milk, not solid food, for you were not yet ready for it. Indeed, you are still not ready. You are still worldly. For since there is jealousy and quarreling among you, are you not worldly? Are you not acting like mere humans?" (1 Cor. 3:1-3) 

So how are you doing? Some questions might help you decide....
  • At the end of the day, how much of your behavior, thoughts, words, and interactions with others would you consider merely human? 
  • How much would be reflective of your faith in Christ.
  • Is your life characterized by a faith for "all" circumstances, even the mundane? 
  • Do you have to experience an emotional "high" to call an experience "worshipful?" 
  • Do you think and/or speak negatively of others who differ in their preferences for corporate worship styles? 
  • Are you focused on maturing in your faith, becoming more and more like Christ in His character with a desire to treat others as He did? How much do you talk about Him with others?
  • Do you love Christ's church as imperfect as it is, with a desire to contribute to its health, vs. merely criticizing it for its problems? 
  • Are you connected to a church family beyond merely attending services? 
  • Are you willing to follow Christ where He leads, even if the route He takes isn't as pleasant and appealing as you'd like?

Just some things to think about...

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