Wandering Crusader #292 How Deep is Your Love?

And when the man that had the line in his hand went forth eastward, he measured a thousand cubits, and he brought me through the waters; the waters were to the ankles. Again he measured a thousand, and brought me through the waters; the waters were to the knees. Again he measured a thousand, and brought me through; the waters were to the loins. Afterward he measured a thousand; and it was a river that I could not pass over: for the waters were risen, waters to swim in, a river that could not be passed over. And he said unto me, Son of man, hast thou seen this? Then he brought me, and caused me to return to the brink of the river. Ezekiel 47: 3-6

Matthew Henry says this vision of the prophet is prefigured in the spread of the gospel around the world. I don’t disagree. However, there is an application closer to home than the Millennial Temple or world evangelism. It is an application that I feel is widely neglected throughout the church today, personal discipleship.

The church is still winning souls to Christ. What we are not doing is making disciples out of those we convert. The result is anemic, shallow congregations more interested in the worship songs that are trending than how to live a Christian life. When the Sunday show is over, most Christians are left kicking around the kiddie pool.

Deep water is dangerous for those who don’t know how to swim. The design for every Christian’s journey is unique. What comes easily to one is a difficult lesson to another. We all have different gifts and callings that we must work out under the leading of the Holy Spirit. There are, however, unchanging constants when one is serving a God who is the same yesterday, today, and forever. It cannot be otherwise.

One of these constants is the direction of the Christian walk. It is ever onward, ever deeper, ever higher. God’s will is our personal transformation down to the very thoughts and intents of our heart. You may no longer curse at the guy who cut you off in traffic, but if you thoughts are still raging, you’re not deep enough.

Christianity doesn’t end with your trip to the altar to accept Christ. That is where it begins. Churches today are very good about telling us how membership, baptism, communion, and works don’t save us. It’s the truth, it’s just not the whole story. You may be saved, you may be secure, I would never say otherwise. I will say that you cannot live a full life for Christ without those things. “Therefore leaving the principles of the doctrine of Christ, let us go on unto perfection…And this will we do, if God permits.”

 Maranatha