Mounting Rareness takes a look at seven characteristics of growing Christians that will enable your journey of faith. I chose these two words: mounting and rareness, because we are on a faith journey that will lead us higher and higher - much as mounting the summit of a mountain. Rareness was chosen because these characteristics are rare, very rare indeed, in the current climate of Christianity - more like churchianity. Even though the times I am writing in seems to have a high religious and spiritual fervor, much seems to be based on me, my and mine instead of God the Father, Son and Holy Spirit. It is my desire to have you grow in your spiritual walk with God the Heavenly Father as revealed in the Holy Bible, which I believe is inerrant, inspired, and infallible. I believe God's Holy Word reveals the nature and character along with the great love and desire of God Almighty as He reveals Himself to you as you seek meaning and purpose in your life. Mounting Rareness has grown out of my own spiritual journey and the journeys of others around me. As you read this call to greater, may your life be filled with a MOUNTING RARENESS among so many that chooses to live at the bottom of the hill with only a longing for more.
Mounting Rareness
CHARACTERISTICS OF GROWING CHRISTIANSBy James A. WayAuthorHouse
Copyright © 2011 James A. Way
All right reserved.ISBN: 978-1-4634-3915-6Contents
Acknowledgments...............................................ixForward.......................................................xi1. Love That is Faithful and True.............................12. I Must Be Faithful.........................................113. A Careful Examination......................................214. Champions of Faith.........................................375. Being Watchful.............................................496. An Adventurer..............................................657. Warriors Living in the Fullness of God.....................79Conclusion....................................................93Reference Notes...............................................97
Chapter One
Love That is Faithful and True REVELATION 2:1-7
"To the angel of the church of Ephesus write,
'These things says He who holds the seven stars in His right hand, who walks in the midst of the seven golden lampstands: 2 "I know your works, your labor, your patience, and that you cannot bear those who are evil. And you have tested those who say they are apostles and are not, and have found them liars; 3 and you have persevered and have patience, and have labored for My name's sake and have not become weary. 4 Nevertheless I have this against you, that you have left your first love. 5 Remember therefore from where you have fallen; repent and do the first works, or else I will come to you quickly and remove your lampstand from its place—unless you repent. 6 But this you have, that you hate the deeds of the Nicolaitans, which I also hate.
7 "He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches. To him who overcomes I will give to eat from the tree of life, which is in the midst of the Paradise of God."'
One of the characteristics of growing Christians is a LOVE THAT IS FAITHFUL AND TRUE. The love God has for us is understood from the Greek word AGAPE—a selfless, sacrificial love that desires the greatest for the one who is the object of your affections.
The Apostle Paul wrote in 1 CORINTHIANS 13:13 that there are three things that will always remain: FAITH, HOPE, AND LOVE. The greatest of these is love.
Paul thanked God for the Thessalonians labor of love (1 Thess. 1:3) and that their love was growing toward each other (2 Thess. 1:3). Paul thanked God the Colossian and Ephesian churches had love for all the saints (Col. 1:4 and Eph 1:15). Earlier he encouraged the Philippians to let their love abound still more and more (Phil 1:9). In his first pastoral letter to Timothy, Paul reminded the young pastor through instructions and commandments to produce love from a pure heart (1 Tim 1:5)
The church at Ephesus was a church plant during one of Paul's missionary journeys You can read about it in Acts 19 With a population of approximately 250,000, Ephesus was the largest seaport and the major cultural, commercial, and religious center 1 and thereby a most important city in the Roman province of Asia. The city was devoted to the cult of Artemis (Latin: Diana) and had a temple to the goddess that was regarded as one of the seven wonders of the world where they observed superstitious practices, and performed magical arts 2. The church in Ephesus had been established by Paul, who continued to minister there three years after its founding (Acts 20:31). In addition to Paul, Ephesus had benefited from the personal ministries of Apollos, Priscilla and Aquila, and Timothy, who was residing there when Paul sent him the two letters found in our New Testament. John (the writer of Revelation) probably had lived there before being banished to Patmos No doubt he was eager to hear what Jesus would have to say to those at his home church while he was in exile. 3
We would do well today to be "eager to hear what Jesus would have to say to our home church".
In verses 1-3 we are given the identity and observation of Jesus. He holds them close. He walks among them. He commends them in verses 2, 3, and 6. Through hard work and patience the church has performed many righteous deeds (2a) They do not tolerate sin in the church (2b). They allow only sound doctrine to be taught (2c). They have suffered for Jesus (3). They hate the practices of the Nicolatians (6) as Jesus does.
Although they did not become weary in doing good, they had become negligent in faith.
In VERSES 4-5 Jesus lodges a complaint against this body of believers. "I have this complaint against you: You don't love me or each other as you did at first!" OUCH THAT STINGS DOESN'T IT?
KATHI MACIAS wrote: Do we live in such a way that people see the great and selfless love of Christ operating in and through us?
John 15:13 (NLT) There is no greater love than to lay down one's life for one's friends This could not be said about the church at Ephesus, nor can it be said about many churches today. They had not become weary, but negligent. Their fervency had lessened. They began accommodating and allowing instead of testing and trying. What we accommodate often becomes the new standard which we follow. 4 They put up with evil. They did not test the leadership for doctrinal soundness, let alone spiritual commitment and calling They no longer loved the Lord and each other as they did at first.
When that occurs, little things become big things. Love hurts and loses patience. Love becomes jealous and boastful (look what I'm doing for you), proud (you can't get along without me), and rude. Love becomes selfish (about me and my needs) and is easily angered and offended (quick tempered because I didn't get my way) Love that is not growing in fervency will not be faithful and true; it will record wrongs, prefer evil over truth, undermine, be disloyal, distrustful, and will bring failure into every setting it enters. IT BECOMES JUST ANOTHER ITEM ON THE MENU OF LIFE THAT I CAN TAKE OR LEAVE.
Want to know why marriages are in trouble? THEY HAVE LOST THEIR FIRST LOVE. Want to know why churches are in trouble? THEY HAVE LOST THEIR FIRST LOVE
Want to know why friendships are in trouble? THE FRIENDS HAVE LOST THEIR FIRST LOVE
Want to know why your FAITH WALK is in trouble? YOU HAVE LOST YOUR FIRST LOVE
The Lord never had in mind for love to be just another item on the menu of life. YOU CAN PRETEND ONLY SO LONG TO BE IN LOVE WITHOUT THE PRETENSES SHOWING UP AND SHOWING OUT.
What does Jesus say about worship? BE REAL WITH ME. Do you feel as if SOMETIMES YOU'RE PUTTING ON A SHOW when you worship? Is your love a SHOW or is it FAITHFUL AND TRUE? Worship, true worship, involves having a love that is faithful and true. If we are to grow as God's children, then God's standard of love must become our standard of love in our: personal / private life, in our marriage, in our family relationships, in our community involvement, in our employment, in our retirement, in our schooling, etc. The lessening of love's fervency happens so quietly and gradually that often we don't recognize it until we have drifted far away and have become disoriented—much like someone drifting in a sail boat on a lake or the ocean.
When it comes to love, YOU DON'T FALL OUT OF LOVE, YOU MOVE AWAY FROM...
