Friday, November 21, 2008

Nominalism

Nominalism: I think what happens to most people is they begin to believe that religion and the gospel is the same thing so they start equating spiritualistic actions with a regenerated heart. And i think they've got it backwards...you don't do these set of actions in order to gain the favor of God, you are truly regenerated, gospel-enveloped and the understanding of who you are in Christ translates into how you live your life. I'm so convinced now that the reason why we don't see movement within the church is because of a terrifying fact - no regeneration. There's a lot of folk who have said a "prayer" but have no heart that has been penetrated by the gospel. How do i know that? Because biblically and historically, people who have an encounter with the gospel cannot live a nominal life. Those who have "accepted Christ" in fear of hell suppress the torment of hell but in reality that is only a topical medication that never really got to the root of the problem. As Matt Chandler says, "Heaven isn't for those who are afraid of hell, heaven is a place for those who love God". And the great theologians of history have understood the slow process of santification comes with some objective evidences - a sorrow over sin, a constant need of Jesus to reign, a love of his word, transformed heart that leads to a different worldview and the actions that follow...I've come to fear and be terrified with the verses that continue to say "broad is the path to destruction and many find it but narrow is the path to life and few find it" and "there will be many on that day that will come to me and say 'lord, lord..." and i [Jesus] will say 'depart from me for i do not know you'". But it's so easy to get wrapped up in religiousity...doing what is supposed to be done and not doing what you're not supposed to do. But in the end, living the nominalistic lifestyle doesn't bring about any more life! in fact it's the worst way to go out because you can't enjoy blatant sin nor could you enjoy the fullness of life. So where do you go from here? I think you seriously need to sit down and really do some soul searching - "am i really full-on saved by the gospel? or do i just know a checklist of religion? Do i really know the savior or do i just know about him?" I think scripture has it everywhere...the man who finds a pearl in a field and sells everything and buys the field...or the disciples that leave everything behind and follows after Jesus. Or...you can shut off your soul to this - not think, numb your mind and soul even if it shouts out to you...you can make your excuses - "i'll just wait till later to make a decisions...let me do this or that first and then i'll commit". I tell you it's not because Jesus wants to supress your life but because when you fall at his feet and admit that you can't, surrender your life to him he promises that his way of life is far greater, far more rewarding, far more satisfying than anything else. Nomalism will just drive you into the ground...in the end, it doesn't help anyone.