Month: <span>October 2015</span>

devotional daily

But what about you?” he asked. “Who do you say I am?” Peter answered, “You are the Messiah.” – Mark 8:19

There is a major shift in the church these days. While the vast majority of people identify with being “Christian,” there is a new trend or shift in the wrong direction. Many are moving from a convictional faith (one that is deeply rooted in Biblical faith) to a more cultural belief in a “feels good” religion.

As Ed Stetzer so aptly put it:  “The Church isn’t dying off, it’s just being more clearly defined”. The new “in” faith is best described as moral therapeutic deism, where people worship a creative god who blesses people who are good, nice and fair, and helps believers be happy and feel good about themselves. It is a naive and coldly utilitarian view of God.

This new wave of belief has given up on the truth of Scripture and has nothing to say to a fallen world.

Moralistic Therapeutic Deism consists of beliefs like these:

1. “A god exists who created and ordered the world and watches over human life on earth.”
2. “God wants people to be good, nice, and fair to each other, as taught in the Bible and by most world religions.”
3. “The central goal of life is to be happy and to feel good about oneself.”
4. “God does not need to be particularly involved in one’s life except when God is needed to resolve a problem.”
5. “Good people go to heaven when they die.”

That, in sum, is the creed to which much postmodern faith can be reduced. When it comes to the most crucial questions of faith and beliefs, many respond with a shrug and “whatever.” Most are incredibly inarticulate about their religious beliefs, and most are virtually unable to offer any serious theological understanding. The casual “whatever” that marks so much of the American moral and theological landscapes is a substitute for serious and responsible thinking.

The essential question of the Christian faith is found in Mark 8:19 where Jesus asked Peter: “Who do you say I am?” If Jesus is not the center of what we believe, then our faith is meaningless.

As more and more churches and their members move away from scriptural authority, the more their faith diminishes into a meaningless faith that blends with a postmodern world that is counter cultural to true Christian faith.

Where are you in your relationship with Jesus today?

By John Grant

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John Grant is a former Florida State Senator and is a practicing attorney

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Look carefully then how you walk, not as unwise but as wise, making the best use of the time, because the days are evil.” Ephesians 5:15-16 (ESV)

One of the most fascinating aspects of the Bible is how God passes on His wisdom to humanity. Just like a loving Father should, He allows His children to fall, make mistakes, and take the wrong path. He then patiently waits for us to come humbly before His feet, repenting of our wayward ways. Then, He gives us His wisdom.

He has done this throughout all of history. First with the Israelites in the Old Testament, and then Jesus did it with the disciples. And God continues to do it now through His Spirit that lives within all those who believe in Him today.

This is what Paul was talking about when He wrote that we should walk as one who is wise, not as the unwise. The unwise fail to listen to the Holy Spirit, and the unwise choose to walk as the world does. The wise however seek His council and rely fully upon His Holy Spirit for wisdom, knowledge and guidance. The wise have ears to hear His Word, and eyes to see as He sees.

There’s a tendency to rely on a spiritual leader for wisdom. God does give wisdom to many who lead and preach; however the wisdom specifically meant and designed for your walk in Him will come to you through the power of His Holy Spirit.

Father, I want Your wisdom, and Yours alone. Lead me, Lord, upon the paths in my life. Help me to hear as You want me to hear, and see as You see. Lead me so I don’t waste my time or my life. Let my days be lived for Your glory. In Jesus’ name, amen.

Look carefully at your spiritual walk this week. Are you walking in His Spirit, or are you walking in the world’s wisdom?

By Daniel Forster


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