COURTESY PHOTO.
It can be easy to lose sight of our purpose in the faith that we profess. Men have a habit of falling into routines and patterns that can quickly replace genuine faith and fellowship with the Father. Even mature believers can become dull to the voice of God in their lives. As I was meditating on this, I realized that I could identify at least three different motivations for being a Christian.
- Obligation: “Therefore by the deeds of the law no flesh will be justified in His sight,” (Rom. 3:20)
Obligation speaks of religious, family and cultural pressures that force us into a life not of our choosing. It can also refer to those who started in true faith, but the spark went out and now they simply feel obliged to keep up the pretense of being a Christian. Those who are living from obligation go through the motions, but there is no life.
- Imitation: “Not everyone that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven;” (Mt. 7:21)
Imitation deals with doing what everyone else is doing, not because it brings life and joy, but because it brings acceptance from others. There has been no real transformation on the inside. It is just a façade that seems to check the religious box and makes everyone happy.
- Revelation: “That the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory, may give unto you the spirit of wisdom and revelation in the knowledge of him:” (Eph. 1:17)
Revelation is the spiritual dynamic that truly transforms us. You can never get enough of God, enough of His Word and enough of blessing others. Every day is a new discovery. Faith is continually renewed and vision for the future keeps coming. You are in an ever-growing relationship with God through Jesus.
Don’t get lost in obligation and imitation. Build your life on a true revelation of Him!
Barry Bennett is an instructor- Charis Bible College Colorado. He is a graduate of Christ for the Nations Institute in Dallas, Texas, and has been serving the Lord since 1972. He and his wife, Betty Kay, have served on the mission field in Mexico, Guatemala, and in Chile, where they spent almost 12 years before returning to Texas in 2001.
