CHOICE, CALLING AND TELLING

Sometimes in spiritual arenas it is hard to always appreciate the difference between each of these. We make Christianity a choice by our accepting Jesus as Lord and Savior, but in reality God called us first. Only from our frame of reference we don’t always remember it that way.

And part of the problem is that there are those who in their minds make Christianity a choice. What is a problem is that they make it a choice on their terms only and never by faith or any touch by the Holy Spirit. Which is why just going to church or becoming a church member doesn’t mean one is truly a Christian.

That only happens when one that is called by God. Even though it isn’t God’s desire than anyone not be saved, the problem is that you can’t turn to the Lord by your own standards and expect him to embrace that reaction. He knows our hearts and knows the difference between a sincere response of faith and one made out of pressure or some other motive.

In the end it is the fruit of the Holy Spirit and the bounty of faith that blossoms among the redeem. It is a journey of discovery and maturing that never ends while there is breath in our lives.

To sit in the pews Sunday after Sunday and make some mental check on a “heavenly brownie point” list while checking the watch and waiting for it to be over doesn’t impress the Lord. Yet how often do those who enter the doorways of a house of worship prefer the shackles of tradition to the wings of real trust in Jesus as Lord and Savior?

The answer, the one that counts in eternity can only be answer inside. No one can decide what is in the heart of anyone, except for the Lord.

I do know though that we are supposed to have a relationship with Jesus. And that depends on us being willing to listen to HIM. He may speak to us in a lot of place other than church.

Will we be prepared to hear his voice over the sounds of conformity and tradition that shout so loudly in some house of worship? Is our heart and soul ready to listen for his spiritual wind as it calls us to his purposes?

Again only each believer can answer that question for himself or herself. But avoiding the question will not change the answer.

I think when one is truly called and accept that choice; there is a telling in our spirit. It is a repository of light and desire that through the darkness and questions keeps us trusting. And the challenge is being willingly to embrace that true light no matter how many you meet who are carried lights of their own strength and self-righteousness. For them, without the presence of the Holy Spirit they can never be expected to understand what it is like when a spiritual flame truly burns in the soul.