"I have been crucified with Christ, and I no longer live, but Christ lives in me. The life I live in the body I live by faith in the Son of God who loved me and gave himself for me"
-Galatians 2:20 (NIV84)
Eyeing the dark waters below me, I know that what lies before me will hurt. Using that sixth sense all children have, I can see that the waters will freeze me. Never mind the fact that I had yet to even touch the waters, I *knew* that if I jumped in I would turn into a popsicle, like a caveman trapped in ice. As my friends surrounding me leaped into the abyss, just to return back unharmed and quite excited. 'Ah, but what happens to them would surely not be the same as what will happen to me if I go,' I thought to myself, trying very hard to convince myself against it. Another thought pops into my mind- 'What about the trip that brought me here? The rough ground on my bare feet would be all for nothing should I fail in the plan I had started off so eager about!' Would I jump? or take a different path? As I looked into the dark reflection of a starry night, I knew I had to make my decision.
This true story can be used to demonstrate a principle in the Christian's life. The idea I have in mind is illuminated in Hebrews when the author explains,
"In your struggle against sin, you have not yet resisted to the point of shedding your blood. And you have forgotten that word of encouragement that addresses you as sons: 'My son, do not make light of the Lord's discipline, and do not lose heart when he rebukes you, because the Lord disciplines those he loves, and he punishes everyone he accepts as a son'" -Hebrews 12:4-6
In Christianity, there must be a point in which we lay down our self (or, shed our blood) because a close relationship with God requires that "He must become greater, and I must become less" (John 3:30). In other words, the rough walk that brings us to faith, brings us to cold waters in which we must trust in Him through the pain so that we can emerge changed, for the sake of His kingdom.
The hope that we have in this testing is found in His promise. As believers and followers of the Christ, God's Son, we too have been adopted as children into His fold. His inerrant Word reminds us that discipline and testing comes from love, not hate or indifference. His love in seeking our growth and relationship with Him is amazing. So what is the issue we face? Do we run headlong into the uncertain trials ahead of us, clinging to the one certainty of the Lord's promise?
We're discussing inactive Christians: Those who profess God with their words or thoughts, but not in action. In other words, we're talking about me. We're talking about you. And we're talking about every single person who professes that "Jesus Christ is Lord" because we all fall short: not one of us can be consistent. The reasons are many for this failing: pride, fear, laziness, and many more.
Thanks be to God that our story does not end with our failure! For growth is a constant process in which we war against ourselves, strengthened by his blessings. Even though we do not always take the leap into the unknown, by God's grace we are given more time and opportunity to rely on Him, trust Him, and bring praise to Him in becoming more and more the people He designed us to be.
