I know a guy who has been going to our church for 11 years now. He’s a decent guy I guess, but there just doesn’t seem to be anything happening in his Christian life.
He shows up at church just about every Sunday and even manages to come to almost every Bible study and pastor’s class. He receives the Sacrament of the Altar regularly. But I haven’t noticed too much change in him over the course of the years.
He asks questions and makes remarks that hint that he knows what the Christian faith is all about, but then he goes on home and pretty much falls right back into his usual pattern of living.
He still spends much too much time on the computer (blogging and what not), and watches too much T.V. (sports and Andy Griffith re-runs). All the while he could be out looking to spread the Good News of the Gospel of Jesus Christ.
He hardly spends any time at all at the nursing homes, or the hospitals and rarely (ok… never) invites the homeless into his home for meals and so they can clean up a bit, and so he can share Christ with them.
He will go out to the grocery store, or to Wal Mart, or to the Del Taco and not utter one word about Jesus Christ to anyone. I mean hardly ever…at all.
He trys to help his family and friends a bit, but everyone does that…there is nothing Christian in that.
Does he not hear the exhortations of the pastor? Does he not hear the clear teaching of scripture about what he ought be doing as a Christian? I know that he hears them. He is sitting right there in church when the words are said.
If someone were to follow this guy around from right after church on Sunday to right before church the next Sunday, they might have a hard time guessing what religion the guy was outside of the occasional prayer here and there, and the stuff he does blogging.
What’s the solution? Is it to try harder? Is it to take the law more seriously? Is it to listen more intently for the voice of the Holy Spirit? Maybe he needs to re-commit his life to Christ, or just do it (seriously) for the 1st time. Maybe he ought throw out the T.V. and the computer? Maybe he ought get directions to some of the local nursing homes and homeless shelters?
I know this guy pretty well, and I’m not sure what I should tell him.
Any suggestions?
Are there people like this in your church, as well?
Filed under: Living the Christian Life, Sanctification | 68 Comments »
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