A Godly youth minister has been known to pass this advice on to young Christians, "You need to follow Jesus even if everyone you know who is supposed to be a Christian turns his back on both Him and you."
I grew up in the church, was baptized, discipled, ordained and called by the church… and I have never been more concerned in the soul and troubled in the Spirit than I am right now. Men I once considered to be pillars of the faith have given into so-called "intellectual criticism" of God's Holy Word. Preachers I once admired have become prone to using the pulpit as a personal sounding board rather than the proclamation of the Gospel. Churches I once adored have become enamored with culture and technology; and instead of loving Jesus perpetually they have grown steadily in secular affection and compromise…. all of this in "such a time as this? " Tragic to say the least.
Brothers and sisters, I implore you to pray for me and for each other. We must follow Jesus. We must lift one another up and ask God to strengthen our faith in Him and Him alone. For it is Him that saves, Him that gives grace, Him that moves in mercy and love… Him that is the source, cause, purpose, and object of any and all true faith. It is nothing else, just Him.
Yes, my heart breaks whenever I see certain things happen in a state, city, denomination, church or congregation that I have supported and aligned myself with (and dare I say, even taken pride in?) for the better part of my life. I even lie awake some nights wondering why God allows such things. But, when the dust settles, I remember the bottom line is that I have decided to follow Jesus and there is NO TURNING BACK! My Minnesota North Stars tattoo, SBC diplomas, and (612) area code won't do me a lick of good on my dying day; the only thing that will is the Blood of the Lamb of God. Only Jesus matters… I follow the Son of God. I serve the King of Kings. I worship the One and only true God. I love the Lord of Lords. I will trust in the Prince of Peace.
Let us all put all of our faith in the supernatural, mighty, miracle works of God. No more lamenting over failed programs. No more pursuit of the next "big thing." No more failing to build a kingdom with our own hands (the only hands that will ever build the Kingdom are nail-scarred and beautiful). I hear a lot about "how the church can/should engage and reach new people." I suggest the church can/should reengage with God.
No more relying on ourselves- we must turn this world, and everything in it (including our churches and ourselves) over to God. I suggest we follow Jesus no matter what.
Here is where the rubber hits the road- I assure you here and now, that I live my life by Acts 6:4. I will pray until my knees are sore, read the Bible until my head hurts, sing praise until my voice gives out and preach the Word in (and out of) season. I will preach to change the world and I will preach to prevent the world from changing me. I will follow Jesus.
History teaches us that revival comes after the darkest days. Therefore, I believe it is coming soon… When it does come, will you be following Jesus?
