What began your Walk with God? What launched you on a quest to understand perhaps even to believe in Him? Was it pain, curiosity or simple doldrums in this life that is supposed to be adventurous and rewarding? Was there something lacking or were you just so full of life that the eventuality of such reward was an eventual pursuit and acceptance of God’s forgiveness and Word as absolute Truth?

Most folks express the pain they were suffering in life that brought them to the cross to meet Christ. It is not that they do not have moments of joy or fulifllment but continually express the lack of Purpose associated with self directed pursuits/goals as somehow less than adequate to reconcile life’s expectations and pain. Many are abused by the people and circumstances or are simply disgusted with and uncapable of escaping their sins/past. Whatever the impetus those who Seek God find Him. Though many will walk away from that meeting having resolved to remain in the world, eschewing the gifts of forgiveness, empowerment, discernment and growth to reside in the relative simplicity of temporary pursuits.

Did the relationship with God provide the insight, forgiveness, empowerment and direction that you expected or have come to reside upon? Whatever the origin of your quest, to where has it led? Are you transformed, having become a new creature according to God’s Promise or have you found it in adequate or incapable of producing those promised outcomes? What has God shown you in this reformed access? Have you gained the spiritual sight and understanding that is promised with discernment in Christ Jesus? Do you find that you have become stronger, less dependent upon self sufficiency’s? Are you the same person simply with more peace and a shot in the arm weekly inoculation of hearing God’s Word or spending time with other People who call themselves Christian’s?

Christianity is about those things we cannot do ourselves. We pursued God because of frustrations or a pursuit of the things which we could not resolve or achieve through self empowerment or actualization. Therefore to simply see mediocre outcomes in life or come to grips with less than miraculous relationship and transformation in Christ Jesus is a huge let down for most believers. Why then would Pastors, teachers or preachers seek to set up this type of lackluster commission with disciples, knowing the likelihood of back sliding by those who had fallen out of love with the mediocrity of Christianity practices in most Churches and Communities. People want authenticity and power. They want transformation and absent that transformation will at best check the boxes of weekly worship, study and prayer.

Why then would any man remain a cork skipping on the waves of the ocean, a surface dweller when the life of the ocean and the depth of Christian faith is most certainly expressed to those who dwell its depths? Can we get close to God and remain shallow ponds of faith? Doubtful, for when one fully meets and coexists with His Holy Spirit, Emmanuel, then we cannot help but be changed, convicted, grown, sanctified and pruned. This time in which we reside is especially prodigious in creating the yearning for more the expectancy of fulfillment of purpose and works in fulfillment and the peace of residing in God’s Holy Will. Is this cause for judgment or condemnation for them who have chosen to reside powerless in their Christian faith? That is a good topic for conversation reflected in God’s Own commentary regarding the feckless church of our age.

But the argument is not my objective, provocation and envy is. How can we expect to be ensample or example for the Jews or fellow Gentiles without any fruit with which to attract or excite them? God is willing to be long suffering with the wicked in order to lure them to faith by their review of the mercy and blessings he conveys upon the Faithful. What then would he say about those of us who continue to have no sweet fruits of blessing to demonstrate for those onlookers? This I know, He is coming soon, whatever your definition of soon entails, the season is clearly upon us. That being said, what fruits are you seeing in your walk? What life transformation is evidence of that born again salvation given by God? What authentic change and growth have you experienced in the pruning and sanctification of indwelling by the Holy Spirit? How close to Love is the relationship with your Brethren? Are you seeing God’s Glory in the Body of Christ?