Something that came to my mind the other day was the topic of "revelation". Now, I'm not referring to the book of Revelations found at the end of the New Testament, but I do plan on referring to that in just a moment. No, what I am referring to is the often believed goal for one reading scripture. Growing up I constantly heard that one needed a "fresh revelation" from God to be able to grow or operate in the kingdom of God.
I'm not speaking against one receiving a revelation from God. I simply believe that it doesn't happen as often as people would like to think it does. I also believe that, more often than not, people are too fixated on receiving a "revelation" that they conjure one up or take the first random thought that pops into their head as a revelation without checking themselves or testing it first.
Actually I think that Christians as a whole have a tendency to fixate on some singular aspect of Christianity or spirituality and, therefore, miss out on other important parts of their faith structure. Too many suffer because of the single mindedness of people. If you are going to concentrate on one thing and one thing only, then let it be upon the worship and adoration of God, then perhaps through that you might fulfill all else. Our jobs as Christians is not to "receive revelation", memorize the Bible, or turn our small community Church into a mega church. No we are supposed to love God with our hearts, minds, physical strength, and everything that is within us, and then love others. But I digress.
So why, if one receives a true revelation from God, is it that they are seeking another one the very next moment? Why not take then one you just received and apply it to your life first?! Do the Holy Spirit's revelations have such a short life span that one must try and get a new one every week or every day??? I think that we are treating the Holy Spirit's moving and speaking into our lives too flippantly and not with the gratitude and respect that is deserved. We are too caught up in being awed and getting what we want and as much as we want to truly appreciate what He does in fact give us.
Believe me when I say that I am just as guilty of this as anyone. Many who read this will probably not understand, and many more will be offended by what I say. I pray that God gives me and you understanding in this matter so that we can live fully to His glory and honor what the Holy Spirit does in each of our lives.
Peace be with you all,
Stephen
I'm not speaking against one receiving a revelation from God. I simply believe that it doesn't happen as often as people would like to think it does. I also believe that, more often than not, people are too fixated on receiving a "revelation" that they conjure one up or take the first random thought that pops into their head as a revelation without checking themselves or testing it first.
Actually I think that Christians as a whole have a tendency to fixate on some singular aspect of Christianity or spirituality and, therefore, miss out on other important parts of their faith structure. Too many suffer because of the single mindedness of people. If you are going to concentrate on one thing and one thing only, then let it be upon the worship and adoration of God, then perhaps through that you might fulfill all else. Our jobs as Christians is not to "receive revelation", memorize the Bible, or turn our small community Church into a mega church. No we are supposed to love God with our hearts, minds, physical strength, and everything that is within us, and then love others. But I digress.
So why, if one receives a true revelation from God, is it that they are seeking another one the very next moment? Why not take then one you just received and apply it to your life first?! Do the Holy Spirit's revelations have such a short life span that one must try and get a new one every week or every day??? I think that we are treating the Holy Spirit's moving and speaking into our lives too flippantly and not with the gratitude and respect that is deserved. We are too caught up in being awed and getting what we want and as much as we want to truly appreciate what He does in fact give us.
Believe me when I say that I am just as guilty of this as anyone. Many who read this will probably not understand, and many more will be offended by what I say. I pray that God gives me and you understanding in this matter so that we can live fully to His glory and honor what the Holy Spirit does in each of our lives.
Peace be with you all,
Stephen
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