Stop Playing Christian!

And now you Gentiles have also heard the truth, the Good News that God saves you. And when you believed in Christ, he identified you as his own by giving you the Holy Spirit, whom he promised long ago. The Spirit is God’s guarantee that he will give us the inheritance he promised and that he has purchased us to be his own people. He did this so we would praise and glorify him. [Ephesians 1.13-14]

I have to admit that I question our Western "salvation and indwelling of the Holy Spirit" experience. It seems we lack the accompanying confidence seen in Paul and other New Testament characters. And, it seems the miraculous power evident in Paul and others is simply not there (regardless what we "claim").

I read today about Paul being shipwrecked on Patmos and his whole experience with the deadly snake that bit him. Frankly, that seems so foreign to modern (especially Western) Christianity (again, regardless what we "claim").

I know we talk a lot about the Holy Spirit, but where are those unmistakable evidences of His presence in us? And, if the evidences are not there, is the Holy Spirit really there? And, if the Holy Spirit is not there, is salvation (faith) really there? Let's get real.

Paul's wording exudes confidence in the work of God in the lives of believers. What he spoke of was not just wishful thinking or claiming something enough to make it so.

I really struggle to reconcile what we call "salvation" today with what Paul called "salvation" in his day. What is even more bothersome is that in our modern adaptation of Christianity, it has become okay for so-called Christians to look and act nothing like Christ. Consequently, we are not alarmed by powerless and directionless "faith." And yet we still have the audacity to get all emotional when thinking about eternity in heaven... consoling ourselves at funerals that the departed, regardless of the life they lived, are now at peace with the Father... (and that ours will be the same).

I am sick of pretending to be a Christian, speaking of God's power and presence when my life and actions reveal nothing of Christ and the powerful Comforter He promised. What is wrong with me? I want God and not this useless religion of sameness with the world while claiming otherwise! 

God help us! God save us! God fill us with the Holy Spirit! God let our lives reveal Jesus (not religion with all its "explanations" (excuses) as to why we are so powerless)!

Father, I don't want to play games with eternity and my relationship with You. I am not satisfied with my life when I compare it to Your Word. Forgive me for playing "Christian" like a child plays "house" only imagining the realities of it. Save me from this world. Save me from myself - my deceptive and wicked heart. Save me from powerless religion. Save me from "playing Christian" with only an imagination of Your power. May You be glorified - not in me, but in Christ in me. When You look at me, I want You to see Jesus so that Your plan is fulfilled.