Spiritual Leakage Part 2

Churches today seem to be battling from within, all in the Name of Jesus Christ. I have the impression that satan takes time off as believers shoot themselves in the foot, bury their wounded, and reduce the Gospel to a motivational self help approach to life. Call me "old fashioned," but the Gospel is about turning from sin, living a life above sin, refusing to compromise with the world, praying without ceasing, and living in victory in spite of one's circumstances. Reader, this post is about losing power. I suggest that one of the principle reasons that power is being lost is because the church has removed the ruggedness of the Gospel. The Gospel is about death. First, the death of Jesus Christ, and then, our deaths to sin, self and the world.

Paul wrote, "I am crucified with Christ: nevertheless I live; yet not I, but Christ liveth in me: and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by the faith of the Son of God, who loved me, and gave himself for me." Galatians 2:20 Further, the writer of the book of Hebrews stated: "Wherefore Jesus also, that he might sanctify the people with his own blood, suffered without the gate. Let us go forth therefore unto him without the camp, bearing his approach." What similarities do we find in these passages? The similarity is death! The key to spiritual power is death. No, I don't mean physical death. Instead, the death I write of, is death to the lure of the world, death to an easy life and easy grace, and death to anything that is contrary to the Word of God.

How many "Christians" don't read their Bibles? How many fail to pray? How many refuse to witness to others? The key to spiritual power is death and working for the Kingdom. No, I do not intimate or suggest that salvation is faith plus works. Instead, our salvation through grace alone causes us to work. Muscles not used become soft and flabby. In the same way, spiritual muscles not used will result in a loss of spiritual power.

Therefore, I suggest the following to prevent spiritual leakage:
1. Have a daily Bible reading plan that includes readings from the Old Testament, New Testament, Psalms and Proverbs. While this article does not debate Bible translations, I suggest a good old King James Version. The KJV is direct and does not water down essential truths to make them more acceptable to the world.
2. Have a prayer list and pray over every item daily. You should include family and close friends, your pastor and local church, the President, Vice President, members of Congress, the Supreme Court, law enforcement officers, public safety officers, state governors, and local mayors and city council. Begin to intercede that those in authority would follow Godly principles that we might live peaceable lives.
3. Ask God to provide you an opportunity to share your faith to someone today.
4. Ask God to provide you an opportunity to show the love of Christ today to meet someone's physical needs.
5. Examine yourself to make sure you are dead to sin, the world and self.

These suggestions, although quite simple, will keep you from losing spiritual power. Someone you know needs to read the Bible today, and you may be the only copy they will see.