Going Through the Motions?

'Cause just okay is not enough

Help me fight through the nothingness of this life

I don't want to go through the motions

I don't want to go one more day

Without Your all consuming passion

Inside of me

In don't want to spend my whole life asking,

"What is I had given everything,

Instead of going through the motions?""

Do you "fake" the Christian life? That is the question we should all ask ourselves. No excuses. The truth. And the answer, "I go to church, youth group, church functions, pray, and read my Bible," doesn't cut it.

Over 50% of Christian youth are faking that they are really saved (America's Research Group, led by Ken Ham. Look for the book "Already Gone."). They love church and sing Christian music, but have never actually made a commitment to follow Christ and find their own Jesus. It's the sad truth. Numerous books have been written on this subject and hundreds of statistics have shown this.

Even Christians can fake how much they really love Christ; I was like that for several years. You're a Christian, you believe in and "like" God fine, but you didn't love the Lord the way you should have... one of the reasons you go to church is you like seeing your friends.

So now Christians are having to witness in our own churches, when our focus should instead be out in the community reaching and teaching those who maybe have never heard the gospel before. We're fighting the battle from the inside as well as from the outside. How do we know if our friends and fellow church-members are really saved. Then what do we do about it?

Our main criteria for people in and out of the church claiming to be Christians should be looking for fruit in their lives (Matthew 7:16). But even more important is witnessing by sharing the gospel and your lifestyle. Christians and unbelievers can benefit from your example if you're living a life of following the Lord. But before you start talking to your friends about spiritual things, check yourself (Matthew 7:5).

In what areas are you going through the motions? Maybe your video games, friends, or books are more important in your life than the Lord. Think of it like this, there is a throne in your mind. Only one thing can sit on the throne. Is it the Lord? Is it your friends? Or is it yourself? You need to ask the Lord to take the throne of your mind, the throne of your life, and rule over all aspects of it. With the Lord's help, you can change your patterns and instead live a life pleasing to Him. Once you have done this, you can be a better witness and testimony for the Lord Jesus, as well as gain a deeper relationship with Him.

If you have questions, comments, or concerns, please email us at dedicatedchristians@gmail.com.

Matthew