Believers often receive the gospel (or we might say “Christ into their lives”), find forgiveness, and then fall into a trap of Christian activity. They conclude, “I’m accepted by God, so everything’s okay and I can just serve away . . . ” The possibility that Christians can go through the motions, even doing so very well, exists even at times in the seminary environment. I have observed this reality at Reformed Theological Seminary. Upon graduation, at the end of the seminary journey, I have joyfully heard graduating students say, “I learned to trust God” or “My faith is stronger than when I came here” or “I love God more at the end of my seminary experience than when I began.” Nevertheless, sadly, I have also heard them say when completing their seminary journey, “My walk with God was terrible while at seminary” or “My personal life with God stinks.” Those that expressed such disappointment in their seminary training did admit that they were far too busy with studies or overloaded with either ministry or marriage and/or family. Their busyness led to the neglect of their personal spiritual life. What keeps you from loving God with a devoted, heartfelt love? Work, play, leisure, family, poor time management, technology, laziness, sin, or personal failure? The excuses and reasons are numerous and somehow allow us to ignore or under develop our relationship with God, the most important relationship in life.
Pastor and author A.W. Tozer reiterates the tragic state of affairs that exists in the professing “Christian” community, when he writes, “For millions of Christians, God is no more real than He is to non-Christians. They go through life trying to love an ideal and be loyal to a mere principle.” [1] Tozer’s statement is simply staggering, but I wonder if it might be a true appraisal of the average Christian in his day, as well as today. Busy-ness can take the place of relationship and affection for our heavenly Father. Tozer’s quote begs us to ask the question, “Do I love God?” We are forced to confront ourselves and the church today with the question, “Are professing believers truly converted and saved?” Can the unconverted and those without a genuine relationship with God actually love him? Are we simple just busy, active “Christians,” or do we have a vibrant, daily, real relationship with God? So, I conclude with one more question, “Are you growing in your love for God?”
[1] Tozer, The Pursuit of God, 50.
