Christians' attitudes are closely related to their spiritual altitude. Believers' countenances reflect their hearts. Disciples speak the word of life while exhibiting what they confess. Saints know how to rightly divide the Word of Truth. The Called know their calling and respond with a zeal that leaves no doubt as to whom they are representing.
The New Testament contains the blueprint of what the recreated individual should be; yet, in view of this faultless description, there is a creation of a new type of Believer in which man is the architect. Ingredients from the New and Old Testaments are mixed together to form a “super saint” that reflects the priorities of a self serving agenda. This”third adam” is more a receiver than a giver. His desire is to lead instead of follow. He wants to be a proprietor instead of a servant. He wants to have miracles in his life, instead of being a miracle. He is centered on self instead of others. Unity has yielded to diversification. Biblical knowledge is limited to human interpretation. Self justification excuses disobedience. Emotions supersede Faith. To the “third adam,” sin is a relative word. Prosperity becomes a sign of spiritual maturity. The new model of a Believer believes one just rubs the Bible and God appears to grant your desires.
As one studies the Scripture, it becomes obvious that the Jewish people were emotionally involved in their Faith, but ignorant of what the Scrolls were actually teaching. Paul stated that they had a “zeal for God, but not according to knowledge.” (Romans 10:2) Knowledge is more than reading the Word, it is entering a relationship with the Word. When the Jewish people looked at the Scrolls simply as the Law, they failed to grasp the righteousness of God. If Christians base their confession on the written Word alone, and not on a relationship with God, their faith will exhibit inconsistency. The Faith seed grows through the righteousness of God that is based on His Word. How we treat the written Word reflects the relationship we have with the living Word. It does not matter what situations the Believer faces, for he trusts in the One with whom he fellowships daily. The new model Christian is more concerned with himself than with his neighbor. He is more of a fault-finder than an encourager. The “third adam” is more a judge than a witness. He tends to critique pastors by name and to label them as enemies of the Cross if they do not fit his interpretation of truth. It is true there are spiritual leaders that are wolves in sheep's clothing, but to call them out by name is not a characteristic of a Jesus follower. The companion of God lets God handle the false prophets and teachers.
During this very challenging time in our Country we need Believers to be true representatives of God's Word. For many years Christians have presented a “Heinz variety” of Christianity. Churches are trying to put flavor in their services, but find themselves out of favor with God. Believers want God to be serious with them, but many fail to be serious with God. We are reading about hurricanes that are ravaging the Caribbean and Gulf States. The loss of lives and property is staggering. I believe we are entering a time when the winds of evil will blow through our land and, if the Believers are not prepared, there will be many spiritual casualties.
We do not need a “third adam.” We need to follow the “second Adam” who came as the Son of God to reconcile man unto God. It is not dictating what we want to be, but to receive dictation as to what God wants us to be!
The New Testament contains the blueprint of what the recreated individual should be; yet, in view of this faultless description, there is a creation of a new type of Believer in which man is the architect. Ingredients from the New and Old Testaments are mixed together to form a “super saint” that reflects the priorities of a self serving agenda. This”third adam” is more a receiver than a giver. His desire is to lead instead of follow. He wants to be a proprietor instead of a servant. He wants to have miracles in his life, instead of being a miracle. He is centered on self instead of others. Unity has yielded to diversification. Biblical knowledge is limited to human interpretation. Self justification excuses disobedience. Emotions supersede Faith. To the “third adam,” sin is a relative word. Prosperity becomes a sign of spiritual maturity. The new model of a Believer believes one just rubs the Bible and God appears to grant your desires.
As one studies the Scripture, it becomes obvious that the Jewish people were emotionally involved in their Faith, but ignorant of what the Scrolls were actually teaching. Paul stated that they had a “zeal for God, but not according to knowledge.” (Romans 10:2) Knowledge is more than reading the Word, it is entering a relationship with the Word. When the Jewish people looked at the Scrolls simply as the Law, they failed to grasp the righteousness of God. If Christians base their confession on the written Word alone, and not on a relationship with God, their faith will exhibit inconsistency. The Faith seed grows through the righteousness of God that is based on His Word. How we treat the written Word reflects the relationship we have with the living Word. It does not matter what situations the Believer faces, for he trusts in the One with whom he fellowships daily. The new model Christian is more concerned with himself than with his neighbor. He is more of a fault-finder than an encourager. The “third adam” is more a judge than a witness. He tends to critique pastors by name and to label them as enemies of the Cross if they do not fit his interpretation of truth. It is true there are spiritual leaders that are wolves in sheep's clothing, but to call them out by name is not a characteristic of a Jesus follower. The companion of God lets God handle the false prophets and teachers.
During this very challenging time in our Country we need Believers to be true representatives of God's Word. For many years Christians have presented a “Heinz variety” of Christianity. Churches are trying to put flavor in their services, but find themselves out of favor with God. Believers want God to be serious with them, but many fail to be serious with God. We are reading about hurricanes that are ravaging the Caribbean and Gulf States. The loss of lives and property is staggering. I believe we are entering a time when the winds of evil will blow through our land and, if the Believers are not prepared, there will be many spiritual casualties.
We do not need a “third adam.” We need to follow the “second Adam” who came as the Son of God to reconcile man unto God. It is not dictating what we want to be, but to receive dictation as to what God wants us to be!
