The story is told about a minister who was sitting next to an astronomer on a recent plane trip. After some conversation about the work of the church and religion, the astronomer said, “Well, what it all boils down to is simply the Golden Rule, isn’t it?”
The minister began to question the astronomer on the many facets of his field, and they discussed space warp, black holes, and dwarf stars. Then he said to the astronomer, “Well, what it all boils down to is ‘Twinkle, twinkle, little star’, isn’t it?” They both had a laugh.
It would be nice if we could boil real religion down to one simple little principle. But to be true religion – true Christianity – it has to be a way of life, an attitude of mind and heart, a consistent and constant change and growth, a regular renewal of relationships with God and others. Yes, it is more than the Golden Rule. It’s a day by day relationship with Almighty God.
Consider a few Scriptures:
- “Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new.” 2 Corinthians 5:17 (KJV)
- “As ye have therefore received Christ Jesus the Lord, so walk ye in Him” Colossians 2:6 (KJV)
- “…grow up into Him in all things…” Ephesians. 4:15 (KJV)
- “Therefore, my beloved brethren, be ye stedfast, unmovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, forasmuch as ye know that your labour is not in vain in the Lord.” 1 Corinthians 15:58 (KJV)
How can your religion be summed up?
– In a nice principle?
– In a belief in God?
– In a few good works?
Or can your religion only be seen in the Christ-like life you live, in your sold-out dedication to His church and work, in the excitement you show in sharing Christ’s love with everyone, and in the visible growth of your life and character into the image of God? Anything less than that and your “religion” is pretty useless and is either a false religion or a mockery of the real thing.
Many of us have become content with a “Twinkle, twinkle, little star” religion. It just may be time for us to grow up in Christ…in all areas of our life. Let’s make a commitment to have a “Radiate, radiate, God’s Son” religion. That is a huge step forward. The only way that transformation takes place in our lives is for God to do a new work in and through us. I can guarantee you, that the Lord has been ready to that for some time. He has chosen to so only with your full cooperation. Will you join this pastor in admitting that your Christian life is not all that Christ deserves and far from where Christ desires it to be?
Did you join me? Well, what are you going to do about it? “Wish upon a star” to make it better? No! We are further from God than we want because we’ve moved away. And it is up to us to us to return to Him in confession – in serious confession – and plead for His reviving – for His new work in our lives. Remember the Scripture says, “Come near to God and He will come near to you” (James 4:8). Again, God is ready to revive, but it only happens when we want it as much as He does. With Easter coming we are reminded of the length that God will go to give us life. To what length will you go to see that His life is “abundant life” in you? There is a lost world dying to see our “Radiate, radiate God’s Son” religion. For too long they have been turned off with the “Twinkle” they’ve been seeing.
Needing to BLAZE FOR JESUS,
Pastor Steve