As I continued sorting through my stack of old Bible Study and Sermon notes I found....
Becoming an Authentic Follower of Christ - Week 1 of 8 - Crosspointe Church, Valdosta, GA - 1/4/09
Am we completely surrendered to Christ?
There's a big difference in just believing in something (or someone) and actually following that something (or someone). It's easy to say that we believe in Christ; it's much harder to actual follow Him. Following Him means living a life that reflects Him, seeking His wisdom and guidance, loving like Him, seeing others like He sees them.
Our journey with Christ begins with an invitation to enter into a relationship with Him. Although because of the actions of many it may seem that Christianity is simply a religion, it's not. It is a relationship, a relationship with the Almighty Creator of this Earth.
Our relationship with Christ continues in His presence. He is always with us even when we may not physically, emotionally, or even spiritually feel it. Once we accept Him as our one and only true Savior, He promises He will never leave us nor forsake us. And He never breaks his promise.
As we continue strengthening our relationship with Christ it results in an overflow from heart. The love that we feel from Him will overflow into our relationships with others. Through our words, our actions, our thoughts we are witnesses of the overflow of Christ. What is our overflow? Is it evident to others?
"Everything Jesus desires to do through you, He accomplishes through the time He spends with you." Whoa, so this means if I spend little time with Jesus He accomplishes little? (Note: although He is always with us, we are the ones who have to actively spend time with Him, actively reach out to Him.)
As I write this, I confess I am guilty of not spending sufficient time with my Lord. What is sufficient? Sufficient to experience an overflow. Without the overflow I don't have the energy or compassion to love people the way Christ calls me to. I have neglected my relationship with Christ and the one who suffers is me.
Father, please forgive me for taking advantage of my relationship with you and neglecting our time together. I know that I cannot survive this world without You and that I truly depend on you in all areas of my life. Please forgive me for having an independent, self-reliant attitude. I surrender that to you Lord. I pray that your Holy Spirit moves in me and continues to call me to You. Lord I know you never leave me but please show me how to come back to you so that I may fully experience your undeniable love and share that love with those around me. Amen.
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