Reality Christianity

I don't know about you, but I'm not a big fan of "Reality TV". If I wanted to see a marriage fall apart and children dazed and confused, I could go up and down the streets of the neighborhood. I don't need to see that stuff play out on TV. In fact, if I'm going to sit down and enjoy a show on television, I want to escape reality. It was during my quiet time this morning that Oswald Chambers got me to thinking about "Reality Christianity."

Unfortunately, much of what we see in the church of America has nothing to do with the reality of faith. Sure...you can see a little drama, excitement, and maybe even a fight scene or two; however, there is something lacking. When will we understand that the people who walk into the doors of our churches want something REAL?

Pay attention to the words of Oswald Chambers:
"The holiness movements of today have none of the rugged reality of the New Testament about them. There is nothing about them that needs the death of Jesus Christ. All that is required is a pious atmosphere, prayer, and devotion. This type of experience is not supernatural nor miraculous. It did not cost the sufferings of God, nor is it stained with 'the blood of the Lamb'...It is not marked or sealed by the Holy Spirit as being genuine, and it has no visual sign that causes people to exclaim with awe and wonder, 'That is the work of God Almighty!' Yet the New Testament is about the work of God and nothing else.
"The New Testament example of the Christian experience is that of personal, passionate devotion to the Person of Jesus Christ. Every other kind of so-called Christian experience is detached from the Person of Jesus. There is no regeneration - no being born again into the kingdom in which Christ lives and reigns supreme. There is only the idea that He is our pattern. In the New Testament Jesus Christ is the Savior long before He is the pattern. Today He is being portrayed as the figurehead of a religion - a mere example. He is that, but He is infinitely more. He is salvation itself; He is the gospel of God!" {My Utmost for His Highest - November 29}

We find Jesus in the Gospel of John 16:13-14 saying: "...when He, the Spirit of truth, has come,...He will glorify Me..." When the Spirit of God is at work in our faith, the reality is Jesus Christ. It's not a better me, a more pious me, or a more devoted me. It's all about the reality of Jesus! The reason I focus so much attention on the work of the Holy Spirit in our lives is because the work of the Spirit is to bring glory and honor to Jesus Christ. Our focus as the people of God needs to be shifted again to the reality of His Spirit at work in every area.

Spirit led worship
Spirit led preaching
Spirit led living
Spirit led giving
Spirit inspired dreams & visions
Spirit prompted words
Healing
Miracles
Prophecy
All the things that are accomplished by the Spirit of God in our midst for the revealing of the Son of God.

Attention all churches: Let's make Jesus Christ the main attraction once again! It's not about our singing, our programs, our ministries, or our buildings. It's not about our preaching/teaching, our small groups, or our purpose statements. Real Christianity is about advancing the Kingdom of God where we live and abroad. It's about being empowered by the Spirit of God - being used by the Spirit of God - so that we may leave a mark in the world about the reality of Jesus Christ.

Are you ready for REAL CHRISTIANITY? REAL FAITH? GENUINE CHANGE? SALVATION OF THE LOST? Then get on board with the work of the Holy Spirit and you will experience all that God wants for you and the world. Let's get REAL!!!