A Spiritual Checkup for 2017

A lot of things can be said about 2016. There were a lot of surprises from the Cubs winning the World Series to Donald Trump winning the White house. For the church (i.e.believers), I wonder what will be said about us as people when historians review this year and our behavior.

I think 2016 divided a lot of evangelicals like no year before. It didn’t help that an election season characterized by two very flawed moral candidates made the divisions more evident. On the one side are those that thought an election of Hillary Clinton would end the Republic; the other camp stipulated that electing Donald Trump would save it.

As believers, the world is watching, and I don’t know if I can say we shouldn’t be ashamed in some respects. You had some Christians attacking others that have real problems with supporting Donald Trump. You had public believers turning their back on Biblical teachings on marriage and the family. You had a controversy in Dallas over a church disciplining one of its members with other believers attacking the church. Lastly, we had several pastors having to step down from their positions for sin in the pulpit.

Now, I am not saying that we are above sin in our own camp, but we should reexamine what we say and how we say it in view of the audience that is constantly watching. I think as Christians we need to get back to the central mission and that is winning our culture to Christ in spite of what is going on in society. When we study Scripture, we understand that the apostles ministered and started churches all over the world in spite of the culture and intense persecution. There was no moral candidate in ancient Rome to lobby on how many churches could be started or what venue to hold a Bible conference. They were just sold out to winning the world for Christ.

As we examine this year so far, here are several areas that we must do a better job as Christians:

1. As Christians, we have to know what we believe and why we believe it. 1 Peter 3:15 says, “Always be prepared to give an answer for the hope that is within you.” Statistics regarding Biblical knowledge among the average Christian are disheartening. The average Christian can’t tell you the twelve apostles or recite more than two Scripture references. Believers are now under fire in a culture that has lost its way more than ever before. It’s imperative that believers and the Church at large educate Christians in the basics of Biblical doctrine. We have a faith grounded in evidence. We need to be diligent in studying, researching, and preparing to engage a lost and dying world.
2. We need to get back to the basics of being a Christ-follower. We need to be sold out like the original apostles. True Christ followers are characterized by several things. They have a high-minded view of the Bible and believe it to be inerrant. In other words, it is the standard in faith and practice. A Christian constantly has a hunger for being in God’s Word and how it applies to his/her life. We need to be diligent in our prayer life. Setting aside a time of study daily is a necessity for a growing intimacy with Christ. The Bible talks about being filled constantly. We can’t do that without constantly being in the Word. The more you study Scripture and the more you share its Truth, the more accountable you become in your walk.
3. A believer strives to have an authentic and true relationship with Christ through prayer. Billy Graham was asked as he has entered the waning days of his life what he might do differently. He said he would spend more time in prayer and in God’s Word. Unfortunately, for too many of us, our concept of prayer all too often is a wish list of things and problems for God to solve. Now, God wants to hear our concerns and petitions, but there is so much more to prayer than that. Do we really take the time to thank Him for the basics in our life – a place to live, food to eat, health, family, etc.? Do we worship Him for who He really is (the Creator and Savior of the universe)? How often do we spend time in prayer for lost friends, co-workers, or family members and ask God to use us to bring them to Christ?
4. We need to strive to be the hands and feet of Christ. The great phrase applies: ”people don’t care how much you know until they know how much you care.” This can be done both corporately at your local church or individually by just helping someone directly. How will you meet someone’s needs this year? A meal for someone, fixing someone’s car, paying someone’s utility bill? As believers, we need to be more conscience of meeting the every day needs of our fellow brothers.
5. Always be aware of the audience watching you. As a believer, people are watching and making a checklist to see how you are different from the world. This is an area that I think because of social media and other mediums we have to be mindful of our tone and our words, especially when we engage others in the marketplace of ideas. In this respect, I think believers, and evangelicals in particular, get a failing grade for last year. That is not to say we can’t disagree or have “in-house” debates on certain issues. It just means we have to be careful of the audience that is watching and understand we have differences but always remain respectful.
6. Finally, be involved in a healthy Bible-believing Church. Scripture teaches not to neglect the assembly of the brethren. Some people state that they don’t need Church to be a Christian. While, technically true, the body of believers is necessary for encouragement, accountability, instruction, meeting the needs of others, etc. That is an “all-about-me” attitude, which is contrary to God’s plan. It smacks of the idea that says,” God’s plan for believers is wrong, and I have a better plan by doing it myself.” I can’t recall a time when I met a believer that was healthy in their walk that wasn’t a member and a participant in a body of believers.

As we continue 2017, set spiritual goals for the yourself and ask for wisdom for what the rest of the year might bring. God can move mountains. Let’s eagerly ask him how we can be used for His Kingdom.

S. Montgomery