Those who follow Christ are living the greatest adventure we can live on this earth. Those who are following a religion are living perhaps the most boring life possible.
If we’re so bored with Christian life that we give it as little of our time and attention as possible, we’re on the wrong path. Those on the right path are so captivated with their walk with the Lord that it’s hard to think much about anything else. We have to do everything we do—even the worst, most uninspiring jobs—as worship unto the Lord. Then even the worst drudgery will become glorious and wonderful.
Our God is the most interesting Being there is or will ever be. Worth more than any earthly treasure, any true revelation of Him is the most profound, captivating, and inspiring experience we can have. He is right now doing the most interesting deeds, and we have been called to be a part of them. What could we possibly have to do that is more important than this? This is the path of life to which we are called.
The River of Life is the purest, most exhilarating, edifying, awe-inspiring, and fascinating way on earth. If somehow our Christian life has become dull, boring, and lacking in awe and wonder, then we have somehow left the path of life. As C.S. Lewis wrote, “We all want progress, but if you're on the wrong road, progress means doing an about-turn and walking back to the right road; in that case, the man who turns back soonest is the most progressive.”
Religion is perhaps the most dangerous trap set for Christians, and it usually presents itself immediately after we make a commitment to follow the Lord. This trap comes in many forms; all are seductive. This trap will appeal to and feed the things that puff up ego and pride. Perhaps its most seductive bait is the honor, respect, and accolades that it will give us from men. For this reason, the apostle Paul wrote, “If I were still seeking to please men I would not be a bondservant of Christ” (Galatians 1:10).
Did you ever consider that the things we do to get honor disqualify us from being servants of God?
As wonderful as the path of life is, it is also the hardest path we can follow. As the Lord Himself warned us, if we truly follow Him, those who don’t follow Him will hate and persecute us. Most of those who do this will be on the path of religion. Isn’t it a remarkable thing that the Lord had seemingly endless grace and mercy for sinners but had none for the most religious of His time?
Just as Jesus had no problem brushing aside demons, His worst enemies were the religious of His day—the Pharisees and Sadducees. The Pharisees were the most conservative, religious, fundamentalists of His time, and they were the deadliest enemies of God and His truth.
I am a conservative and a fundamentalist. I realize very well that if I turn from following Christ to following religion, I am in terrible jeopardy and could end up attacking and persecuting the Lord Himself by attacking the next move of God. This happens to many near the end of a very fruitful life in Christ. Perhaps the physical weakness and pains of age start to wear us down, and we can start seeking comfort and blessings more than we seek Him. Whatever the root, it is a very deadly enemy.
The apostle Paul is perhaps most esteemed as one who ran well and finished well. He had been beaten, stoned, and persecuted by men so much that by the end of his life we can only wonder how bad he looked. He admitted to the Galatians that he knew his flesh was a trial to them, so it must have been a test for any who saw him. But the Galatians passed this test: “You received me as an angel of God” (Galatians 4:14).
Do we seek to be received because of our good appearances, our religious experiences, or our good works before men? Or, do we trust the anointing of the Holy Spirit to touch people’s hearts with the sufferings and resurrection of Christ?
© 2024 Rick Joyner. All Rights Reserved.
