Got Fruit ?

Before I get into the heart of this post, let me say or rather make clear that Got Fruit(?) is not being transformed into a discernment oriented ministry so to speak.  I sensed  after reviewing the past few posts, that impression may have been given.  Please do not take my  statement as me downplaying the importance of discernment, I believe that it is vital for Christians to be discerning, however, it is not an area that I feel compelled by the Holy Spirit to jump into with both feet.  There are countless areas of spiritual growth that we all must be matured in be it, forgiveness, discipline, service, humility, to name a few.  It is simply my opinion that a Christian, particularly one that is a "spiritual babe" (of which I consider myself), can become sidetracked from experiencing Christ in their life fully if they pursue a narrow scope of Christianity.  My own experiences and opinion tell me that an infatuation, particularly from an intellectual "collecting’ mindset, may not lead one to truly knowing Jesus.

Soooo.. with all of that said.   More on discernment.

I was in the process of replying to a reader comment  from the Emergent Motivational Posters post this evening (ok, yesterday evening by the time I actually get this posted, but I’m filling it under yesterday); and we we’re exchanging some ideas and thoughts concerning discernment, in particular the Emergent Church doctrine/theology.  I won’t rehash the entire conversation here, but one of the questions or thoughts that came up was about how EC leaders, speaking for the whole I gather, have a warped sense of SIN and REGENERATION BY THE HOLY SPIRIT is.

Sorry, I couldn’t resist taking at least a little step upon the the ‘ole soap box.  The short of what I understand from reading EC propaganda is that their "gospel" is along the line of social transformation with a jesus twist.  Yes, no capital "J" on that jesus, because he is not the same Jesus that I read about in the Bible or pray to.  The jesus of the EC seems to be everyone’s homie, that’s just happy to have been  able to be crucified.  Not really sure why he was pleased to be crucified as the EC doctrine, or at least Rob Bell seems to not make it clear that the purpose of the crucifixion was to redeem us because of OUR sins against him.  For more in depth reading and commentary, I suggest heading over to Apprising Ministries headed up by Ken Silva.  You’ll find plenty of informative posts concerning EC doctrine and it’s leaders there.

Anywho… one of the comments by the reader regarding our discussion of the EC’s failure to comprehend the gospel was along the lines of a paraphrased passage: "Be ye transformed".   The Bible passage that came to mind for me is from Romans:

Romans 12:2
2 Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will.

Kind of hard to understand God’s holy and sinless agenda if your trying to approach Him from your naturally sinful and unregenerate perspective, don’t you think?

Grace and peace be with you.

The Lord is with you while you are with Him.If you seek Him, He will be found by you; but if you forsake Him, He will forsake you.
2 Chronicles 15:2

Our response to God greatly determines His presence in our lives. If we seek God with all of our hearts, then we will find Him (Jer. 29:13-14). The Lord wants to have fellowship with us, but He will not force a relationship upon us. We cannot reject fellowship with God and expect Him to remain near. He does not merely follow us throughout our day in case we need His assistance. If we continue to forsake Him, a time will come when we desperately need Him and He will not be near (Isa. 59:1-2).

It is an affront to sovereign God to treat Him like a servant who should wait upon us. God will relate to us on His terms, not ours. God desires a close walk with us. He will make His presence real and personal if that is our desire. If we repent of our sin and seek God on His terms, we can look forward to intimate fellowship with Him (James 4:8-10). We are to continually seek Him, not content to enter a new day without the assurance that God is walking beside us.

Do you say you want to experience God’s presence while your actions reveal otherwise? If you say you want to know God better but neglect studying His word, are you truly seeking Him? Have you regularly forsaken the place of prayer? If your actions reveal that you are genuinely seeking God, then He promises that you will find Him (Matt. 7:7).

Henry and Richard Blackaby
Experiencing God Day-by-Day