Going Deeper, part 2

To be a Christ-follower demands depth. If the teacher and church life do not lead us into a deeper walk with Christ, the experience for us becomes nothing but social and shows little difference from anything else we might attend in the world. We are meant to be more than motivated... We must be drawn to deeper introspection and heartfelt surrender.

The Cross is what Christianity is all about! It's the ideal of giving up our fleshly wants and coming into the way of Christ: serving, loving, forgiving, giving... It's abandoning American consumerism and accepting our awesome assignment on the earth. The plan the Father has for our life doesn't agree with our flesh, but that doesn't mean that it's dry or something we should dread. We find enjoyment as we go deeper and the flesh is brought down. The glorious story of redemption is that we were bought back by the blood of Christ from the demonic strongholds of sin and into a life of liberty that enables us to say no to ungodliness and yes to the will of God. Therefore, we've been freed to be fruitful. Fruit, or a life of good works, is produced out of depth. The nutrients must get to the root system. Jesus said, "I am the vine; you are the branches. If a man remains in me and I in him, he will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing (John 15:5)." The depth of our relationship with Christ determines the level of our life's impact in the world.

More to come...