So Now What[1]

So? Now What? No More Gap Christianity

 

Ephesians 1: 19-23 I also pray that you will understand the incredible greatness of God's power for us who believe him. This is the same mighty power that raised Christ from the dead and seated him in the place of honor at God's right hand in the heavenly realms. Now he is far above any ruler or authority or power or leader or anything else--not only in this world but also in the world to come. God has put all things under the authority of Christ and has made him head over all things for the benefit of the church. And the church is his body; it is made full and complete by Christ, who fills all things everywhere with himself. (NLT)

 

The holiday is over and the food has been eaten. We reflect and ponder life's mysteries, such as how the resurrection of Jesus Christ got mistranslated into chocolate bunnies and colored eggs. We think back. Resurrection weekend was powerful. Great worship, relevant words, new salvations brought to the cross. The tomb is empty! He has risen; just as He said! Jesus is alive! Hallelujah! Now what?

 

Is that all the God intends for us? Feel good moments here and there? Holiday faith served up buffet style take as much as you want because it will be gone soon! That is not the will of God for your life! He intended so much more for each of us. Unfortunately, we can get caught up in playing Gap Christianity. That is where our faith exists at certain points and we fill the gaps between those points with the theology the world offers up. The obvious example is where we get all excited for all of the "events." We show up for Easter and Christmas; never miss a midnight mass! But in those huge gaps in between the events, we are living hopeless lives. He is still alive beloved, not just on Easter Sunday.

 

A more vivid example that happens to a lot of Christians is that the Sunday event becomes the point of existence for our faith. It defines our Christianity. The problem is that Monday through Saturday we walk with absolutely no power in our lives. No power over sin. No power to overcome. No power to recognize the lies and schemes of the enemy. We literally crawl into service on Sunday dying to feel the presence of God again. I once saw an interview with a congregant from one of the top attended churches in America and the direct quote was, "Pastor gives me just what I need to get back to him next week." Wow, what a lousy way to live a life. Contrary to that, this is the God we serve:

 

Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us, - Ephesians 3: 20 (NIV)

 

Think about that contrast for a minute. Think about all the things you can possibly ask or imagine and then realize that God can so out-provide those imaginations that it cannot even be measured! That is the God we serve! And the best part of this verse is the ending this promise is according to the power of God that is already at work within us! We have the power! What power? The power that comes from having the Spirit of God living inside of us:

 

The Spirit of God, who raised Jesus from the dead, lives in you. And just as God raised Christ Jesus from the dead, he will give life to your mortal bodies by this same Spirit living within you. Romans 8: 11 (NLT)