Behold, Our God
Why are people leaving the church without repentance? Why are so many young people, who have grown up in church, likely to never darken the doors of a church after high school graduation? What is keeping our church members who remain faithful from gaining true revival within their Christian walk?
I believe the issue that these cases are facing is a lack of perception of God. Much like the way the average employee acts when the boss is away and not seeing their work, Christians and church goers act when they lose sight of God. This gives the idea of an unattached, uncaring and possibly an unreal deity. This perception will lead people to focus more on themselves than anything. It is why self-ambition, entertainment, immorality and immaturity are becoming more pervasive.
All throughout the scriptures people struggled with this issue. The children of Israel would often lose sight of the Almighty for the lesser gods they could see. Prophets would shrink in boldness as they would see their own ambition or fears over the might of God. Even those in service to God daily, such as Asaph, can lose sight of God for the prosperity of the wicked (Psalm 73).
We regain proper view of God when we adhere to the areas or fountains of God’s goodness:
- Word of God
- The Bible is the revelation of God in wisdom, power, judgment and grace. The Word of God can break asunder the hardness of a heart and create tenderness toward God. (Job 4:4, Jer. 15:16, Luke 4:4, Romans 10:17)
- Answered Prayer
- When we pray and see God work, it reveals the care and love of the God of Prayer. However, there cannot be
praise for answered prayer if no prayer is had. When we pray, God reveals himself, because this is the essence of why we were created. (Matthew 18:19-20, 1 John 5:14-15)
- When we pray and see God work, it reveals the care and love of the God of Prayer. However, there cannot be
- Church Worship
- Too many people simply come to church without actually worshipping God. They sing songs, with no praise. They hear sermons from pastors rather than messages from God. If anything is felt from church, its either soothing to the mind or guilt from their living. None of these will help us see God. (Psalm 73, Isa. 6: 1-8, Hebrews 10:25)
- Souls Saved
- True Soul-winning is becoming extinct due to the replacement of church growth and “numbers”. True soul-winning allows the sinner a chance to have the Word of God pierce the soul, awaken faith and trust in Christ, without formulaic patterns. While this help is a great guide, it shouldn’t be the crux of winning a soul to Christ. After seeing someone
get saved, it reminds and reveals the love and power of God, to the soul-winner. (Col. 12-14)
- True Soul-winning is becoming extinct due to the replacement of church growth and “numbers”. True soul-winning allows the sinner a chance to have the Word of God pierce the soul, awaken faith and trust in Christ, without formulaic patterns. While this help is a great guide, it shouldn’t be the crux of winning a soul to Christ. After seeing someone
