Committed Christianity is Not Enough...
One of the most profound points for all engaged in the process formally called sanctification (i.e. growing in grace to look more like Jesus) is the startling and strategic move from being committed to being submitted to Jesus. Between these two words is a world of difference....a completely different life. It's not that committed people are not in the Kingdom. They are. But committed Christians have yet to yield to the only sanity of following Jesus Christ--giving Him the whole kit and caboodle to do with as He pleases. It is his Grace that calls us to this step. It is what many of our ancestors in the Faith have termed 'the second calling'.
Committed Christians partner with God.
Submitted Christians make God the Boss.
Committed Christians focus on the goal.
Submitted Christans realize the importance of the journey.
Committed Christians tend toward judging others.
Submmitted Christians tend more towards grace, forgiving and loving their enemies.
Committed Christians work hard for God.
Submitted Christians lie down in green pastures.
Committed Christians focus on a God who helps them succeed.
Submitted Christians focus on the success of being within God's agenda.
Committed Christians secretly desire recognition and glory for their good works.
Submitted Christians realize God shares His glory with no one.
posted by Unknown @ 10:39 AM
6 comments
6 Comments:
calling out the big dog (submission) scared off the pack. Bow-Wow.
Maybe, being a submitted Christian is what makes you a "godly man" hmmm???
So you're saying there are too many Christians who are committed (or need to be soon)? I think I can go along with that idea. Do you have an institution in mind? [g]
On a more serious note, good list. Though I'm not sure how a Christian of any sort can end up as condemnatory and judgemental as so many seem to do. The scene that comes to my mind is the one from Guess Who's Coming to Dinner? where the man's mother is telling the girl's father that when men get old they forget. They forget what it's like to love and be loved. (It's the one statement of the night to which he took exception.) And that reminds me of the church in Revelation (Ephesus?) that had "forgotten its first love."
And the terms "committed" and "submitted" don't feel like they quite cover either spectrum, but I can't think of any better ones.
Jimmie,
something about 'running with the Big Dogs or stay off the porch' comes to mind...
Hey, Craig! Good to see you. I think you may have something there. Hmmm...
There is definitely a difference between a *godly* and *religious* man. Although I know ScottM will want to take exception and argue semantics about that... :p
But I think that's a good point.
Several Christians I know need to be committed [g] Some I can think of just need to stop telling people they are 'little-Christs'...it's bad PR.
I'm frequently amazed...no, saddened, at condemning and judgemental Christians I run across. Including myself.
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