Book 1 of Musings Amateur Christians
There are amateur Christians who talk about Christ and lead their casual church lives. Then there are professional Christians, so to speak, who are struggling upward in the night as they seek Christ; seek Christ; seek Christ. It takes all the determination we possess if we are to keep up with the Holy Spirit as He prepares us to be joined to Christ.
There are householders who plant grass. This does not make them a farmer.
There are people who cook dinner. But this does not make them a chef.
There are individuals who know first aid. But this does not make them a doctor.
All of us can do many things. But the professional is someone whose life is focused on one area of expertise. It is his livelihood, and he has spent many hours disciplining himself so he can make a success of his chosen vocation.
The same applies to the Christian life.
There are amateur Christians.
They usually (but not always) are members of a church.
They sing Christian songs.
They talk Christian talk.
They go to church on Sunday morning and listen to the Pastor hold forth on a subject that is close to his heart.
Among these amateur Christians there are a few professionals.
They often are church members.
They sing Christian songs.
They talk Christian talk.
They go to church on Sunday morning and listen to the Pastor.
But such activities are the least part of their commitment to Jesus Christ. They are like the Apostle Paul. They forget what is behind. They press, press, press forward with all their might. Day and night they are consumed with the Lord Jesus.
They always are praying, always are thinking about the Word of God. You know, there are rewards for such intense diligence of which the amateur Christians understand little. There are thrones to be gained - thrones that one day will govern all the works of God's hands.
There is a body to be received at the Day of Resurrection, a body like that of the Lord Jesus. The amateur Christians suppose because of their token commitment they will be arrayed in royal splendor. The Bible does not promise this.
There are people to inherit. We speak of streets of gold and backyards full of diamonds. This is nonsense. Money and mineral wealth will have little value in the world to come. Loving relationship are what make Heaven heavenly.
Best of all, there is a place in the Center of God's Person that is "home" to the fervent saint. This is where Jesus always is, along with all who have forsaken all to follow Him.
The amateur Christian may be spared Hell and be permitted to be a citizen of the new eternal world of righteousness that will be created in the future. But he or she will never comprehend the wealth of God that has been promised to the overcomer.
And so the professionals struggle upward in the night while most of the Christians are tending to their fleshly pursuits. He who overcomes will inherit all this, and I will be his God and he will be my son. (Revelation 21:7)
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