Since I began this blog I have been searching and searching for conservative Adventist blogs but have found very very few, if any. There are many Christian blogs I've stumbled onto, most of which espouse blatantly sinful lifestyles which include drinking, smoking, premarital sex, etc. The few Adventist blogs I've found have been less blatant but have contained a subtle (and sometimes not-so-subtle) "downplaying" of fundamental, conservative Adventist beliefs, and even fundamental Christian beliefs.
I watched a performer on LLBN the other day and ended up finding their myspace page because I really enjoyed the music, only to find their list of favorite movies, music, books are the ones popular with the world, full of sin, which put our Lord to shame.
Hebrews 6:4-6, "For it is impossible for those who were once enlightened, and have tasted the heavenly gift, and have become partakers of the Holy Spirit, and have tasted the good word of God and the powers of the age to come, if they fall away, to renew them again to repentance, since they crucify again for themselves the Son of God, and put Him to an open shame."
Is it just the youth of the Adventist church that are falling away? Sadly, I don't think so. I've seen and heard just as much worldliness from those more "mature" Adventists and Christians.
Is there anyone out there who longs for Christ to put their sinful natures to death? Anyone who truly wants to be a new creature, instead of squeezing our Christian beliefs into our old nature?
Please don't think I have any sort of high opinion of myself, I do not. I am more sinful than any of you, even if sometimes not outwardly. But I hate it. I feel ashamed of the sin in my heart and I yearn for Christ to fill my heart with His Spirit. Is there anyone out there who feels this struggle with two opposing natures, as did the Apostle Paul? Is there anyone out there whose mind is always always always contemplating spiritual things when they have free moments? Christ is in my thoughts day and night, hour after hour, moment by moment.
Is there anyone out there who desires to talk to others of God and His love, anyone who desires fellowship with other pilgrims on their journey from this world to that which is to come? I pray that they will find my blog, because I'm having a difficult time finding theirs.
If this is your prayer, like it is mine, like it was David's, let's talk:
"Have mercy upon me, O God, according to Your lovingkindness; According to the multitude of Your tender mercies, blot out my transgressions.
Wash me thoroughly from my iniquity, and cleanse me from my sin.
For I acknowledge my transgressions, and my sin is always before me.
Against You, You only, have I sinned, and done this evil in Your sight - that You may be found just when You speak, and blameless when You judge.
Behold, I was brought forth in iniquity, and in sin my mother conceived me.
Behold, You desire truth in the inward parts, and in the hidden part You will make me to know wisdom.
Purge me with hyssop, and I shall be clean; Wash me, and I shall be whiter than snow.
Make me hear joy and gladness, that the bones You have broken may rejoice.
Hide Your face from my sins, and blot out all my iniquities.
Create in me a clean heart, O God, and renew a steadfast spirit within me.
Do not cast me away from Your presence, and do not take Your Holy Spirit from me.
Restore to me the joy of Your salvation, and uphold me by Your generous Spirit.
Then I will teach transgressors Your ways, and sinners shall be converted to you." - Psalm 51:1-13
I pray we all turn from our wicked ways, including myself, and hold His Word in the highest regard, and seek Him with all our heart. He promises He will be found. (Jer. 29:13)
Ezekiel 33:11, "'Say to them: "As I live," says the Lord GOD, "I have no pleasure in the death of the wicked, but that the wicked turn from his way and live. Turn, turn from your evil ways! For why should you die, O house of Israel?"'"
Wow, after reading this post I'm thinking we must vow eternal friendship . . . I too long for fellowship with those who adore God's holiness, and yearn to be pure and Christlike in all of our thoughts, attitudes and behaviors.
ReplyDeleteI'm certainly far from perfection myself; I've made a zillion bad choices in my life and am paying the consequences today for some of them. But all along my spirit has cried out to be closer to the One who gave His life for me, and to resonate with His love so that others will see His beauty and hunger and thirst.
Thank you for writing truth. Thank you for taking a stand against the materialism and worldliness plaguing the body of Christ. Though I no longer believe in Ellen White as a prophet of God, I do appreciate the high standard the Adventist church has always maintained. No everyone values those standards today, but I've always felt that a Christian should be different from the world--or what's the point?
"But all along my spirit has cried out to be closer to the One who gave His life for me, and to resonate with His love so that others will see His beauty and hunger and thirst."
ReplyDeleteThat is exactly how I feel too! I am so thankful God brought us together. I think you're right about our friendship...I think we are going to help bring each other ever closer to our Father.
Let's both pray that He brings others to us that share our same goal of growing always closer to our God and His truth!
No need to thank me for writing this stuff, it was my pleasure. If Christians aren't different from the world, it makes me wonder how many actual Christians there are out there, you know?
I love this quote, "If you were put on trial and accused of being a Christian, would there be enough evidence to convict you?"
So true.
Todd,
ReplyDeleteI do believe the body of Christ, in general, must grieve the heart of God in these last days. Well, we knew it would be so, that the church of Laodecia would be characterized as lukewarm. But how sad to see how many who profess the name of Christ show no interest in spiritual things.
I want to guard myself, though, against the greater sin of being a self-righteous Pharisee.
You know I really think the main trouble with Christians today is that they're not heart and soul in love with Christ. If they were, everything else would dim in comparison. When our hearts and affections are divided we cannot love anyone or anything with pure passion.
Oh, that God would raise up many who will love Him with all their hearts, and feel deep sorrow over the worldliness which plagues so many a Christian heart and home!
Amen, I should pray every day that God would give me a greater love for Him.
ReplyDeleteTodd,
ReplyDeleteHave you read Sacred Romance? Wow, this book has had such an impact on my life, especially my concept of God. It blew me away the first time I read it.
I have never heard of it, I'll check it out, though! Thanks
ReplyDeleteI believe it's written by John Eldridge...the library should have a copy.
ReplyDeleteI can't even describe this book, it's so beautifully written. I may quote some of it on my blog in the near future, so I hope you stop by to check it out.
You can count on it!
ReplyDeleteRemember just as Elijah thought he alone was the last faithful one to God and God revealed there were thousands who had not bowed their knee to Baal--you must know that their are many around us who are faithful to God. Sometimes they are battle worn and scarred but they are all around us. Fellowshipping with them and learning their testimonies of God's grace helps us grow in Him...
ReplyDelete