How are You Measuring Up?

. . . These that have turned the world upside down are come hither also; 

Acts 17:6

If the body of Christ is to be relevant in the world today, we have to take a stance that affects the world.   When Jesus ascended, He did what He promised and sent His Holy Spirit back.  

But the Comforter, which is the Holy Ghost, whom the Father will send in my name, he shall teach you all things, and bring all things to your remembrance, whatsoever I have said unto you.    John 14:26

The purpose of the Holy Spirit  is not only to comfort us and give us peace not of this world, it also gives us the power and authority to affect the world!

And these signs shall follow them that believe; In my name shall they cast out devils; they shall speak with new tongues; They shall take up serpents; and if they drink any deadly thing, it shall not hurt them; they shall lay hands on the sick, and they shall recover.  John 16:17-18

We cannot effectively operate without the power of the Holy Spirit and the authority of the name of Jesus.  Before the body of Christ was instituted, Jesus told the disciples:

And, behold, I send the promise of my Father upon you: but tarry ye in the city of Jerusalem, until ye be endued with power from on high.  Luke 24:49

When we receive the Holy Spirit, we are now equipped with power and authority and yet we sit passively by and look at the depravity and evilness which has created the gross darkness of the world today.

For, behold, the darkness shall cover the earth, and gross darkness the people: but the Lord shall arise upon thee, and his glory shall be seen upon thee. Isaiah 60:2

We talk about it, complain about it, and preach about it but  do nothing to affect a change.  We are not saved; delivered from this world, to be silent!  God did not save us to sit passively by bathed in His holy light while the world perishes in darkness!  

We need to be energized as Jonah was when he single handedly turned Nineveh to God:

And Jonah began to enter into the city a day's journey, and he cried, and said, Yet forty days, and Nineveh shall be overthrown.  So the people of Nineveh believed God, and proclaimed a fast, and put on sackcloth, from the greatest of them even to the least of them.  Jonah 3:4-5

To be "passive" means to be "unconcerned, inactive, unresponsive, indifferent, unemotional, or unfeeling".  How are you measuring up?  Are you "on fire" for God; are you actively leading people to the Kingdom of Light?  If not, you may be found in some of these common reasons why people are passive, why they are inactive, indifferent, and not involved in the work of the Lord:

   not under the Lordship of Jesus Christ.

   have not grasped the meaning of the Great Commission.

   do not know their place in the Body of Christ.

   do not embrace the goals, vision, will and direction of God.

   lack singleness of vision. (They see so much to do and have no clear vision of their role, so they are discouraged and do not do anything.)

   are consumed by the cares and involvements of the world.

   are afraid their willingness to become involved will be taken advantage of by others.

   Authoritarian leadership that does everything to prevent involvement. This is a "personality based" ministry instead of a "body-based" ministry involving all members in the work of the Lord. (The pastor or spiritual leader is not to do all the work himself. He is to equip or mobilize the body for the work of the ministry.)

   live in the past. The Bible warns, "Remember Lot's wife". Looking back to the "good old days" or "how things were done before" prevents action in the present.

   walking in the flesh: When a person walks in the flesh, they cannot accomplish spiritual goals. The flesh prevents you from doing "that which you would do." 

 For that which I do I allow not: for what I would, that do I not; but what I hate, that do I.    Romans 7:15 

Frustration, division, and unresolved conflicts are all signs that a person is walking in the flesh. These and similar behaviors will render people inactive in the Kingdom of God.

   Sin prohibits the flow of God's anointing, His fire, glory, and revival. Since these are the mobilizing spiritual forces, a believer who continues in sin will soon lose his motivation.

   Discouragement causes passivity. A discouraged person is closed minded, has a need for power, control, and to get his own way. He avoids personal responsibility, blames others for problems, and wants to retaliate. He is unstable and disloyal.

   A "professional" attitude. This is a problem that often renders people inactive in the modern church age. This "professional" attitude is one that says "Let's hire it done".

Passive individuals result in a passive people corporately. Basically the passive church fits the description of the church at Sardis.

And unto the angel of the church in Sardis write; These things saith he that hath the seven Spirits of God, and the seven stars; I know thy works, that thou hast a name that thou livest, and art dead.  Revelation 3:1 

They have a "name that they live, but they are dead".  Here is a "checklist for a passive people". How does your particular body measure up?

   Physical care of church facilities is below average and conveys an "I don't care" attitude.

   There is a heavy dependence on the pastor or paid staff to do the work of the ministry.

   There is a strong orientation to the past, believing that the "good old days" were better than the present time.

   There is declining membership; particularly among the youth.

   There are many inactive members.

   The focus is on music, children, and youth while the adults remain inactive.

   Economy is more important in decision-making than steps of faith.

   Communication is poor between members, pastor, and staff.

   A lack of attendance reveals a low level of concern.

   There is no spiritual joy.

   Policymakers and aggressive members are largely from the people who were members when the congregation started or from the "good old days".

   The minister views his ministry as in the past rather than in the future.

   The congregation is convinced that if they can find a "super pastor" to replace their minister, their problems will be over.

   The governing body of the congregation (board, council, etc.) tends to see its primary role as a permission withholding body to say what cannot be done. (In an active church, the governing body encourages creativity, innovation, steps of faith, and whenever at all possible, gives rather than withholds permission).

   New plans are met with arguments of "why that will not work here".

   The emphasis is on learning rather than doing.

   The typical member cannot call more than 5 people in the congregation by name.

   People are unusually critical about what is or is not happening.

   New members find it hard to gain a sense of belonging and to feel needed.

All of these items exhibit unconcern, indifference, and lack of involvement and should not exist in the body of Christ where motivation to ‘go to the nations’ is a commandment.

How are you measuring up?

(Biblical Studies)

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08/22/16
01/31/19

10/08/20

08/15/22