Good News: Christians urged to seek a deeper faith in God
We live in a society that seeks conveniences, pleasures, promotions, raises, and sports tutors for our kids to be their best. We’re good at seeking, no doubt about it. But from a spiritual standpoint, as Christians, do we seek after a deeper relationship with God as much as society, and even believers, seek after earthly things? There is more to our relationship with God than, “Hey Lord, thanks for sending Jesus to die for me, forgiving my sins, and allowing me to go to heaven. I’ll let you know if I need anything.” There is so much more.
Imagine this scenario; a person dreams of going to Hawaii for vacation. They’ve wanted it most of their life but there’s no way they can afford it. Graciously, someone gifts them their dream vacation, all expenses paid. They get on the plane, land in Hawaii, and then, oddly, stay at the airport hotel for the entire two weeks they are there. They never leave the hotel to go snorkeling and see the coral and exotic fish, never hike the beautiful mountains, and never go to a Luau, even though all of it is paid for. They just sit in the airport hotel satisfied that they made it to Hawaii. Right now, you’re asking, “Who in the world would do that? How could anyone be satisfied with just making it there and not enjoy all that Hawaii has to offer, and all of it paid for?” Yet, millions of Christians accept the saving news of Jesus, get forgiven, secure that they’ll make it to heaven, but never venture away from the airport hotel of salvation to explore the riches of a deeper walk with the one who saved them and gave them an all-expense paid trip to heaven.
Psalm 105 says, “Let the heart of those who seek the LORD be glad. Seek the LORD and His strength; seek His face continually.” Our journey to seek the Lord doesn’t end on the day we get saved anymore than a bride and groom quit seeking each other after their wedding day. That’s known as a loveless marriage. From God’s viewpoint, we cheat Him out of a relationship when we don’t seek Him. All of us are good at seeking His hand, that is, asking for earthly needs. But where we can all improve is seeking His face, desiring to know Him better simply for who He is. We do that by reading His Word and spending time in prayer.
Col.1:9-10 says, “We ask God to give you complete knowledge of His will and to give you spiritual wisdom and understanding. Then the way you live will always honor and please the Lord, and your lives will produce every kind of good fruit. All the while, you will grow as you learn to know God better and better.” (NLT) We’re never done getting to know God. The Lord Jesus gave us His promise in Matt 7:7-8 “Ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock, and it will be opened to you. For everyone who asks receives, and the one who seeks finds, and to the one who knocks it will be opened.” (ESV)
The one who made us, saved us, and paid the way for an all-expense paid trip to heaven desires for us to know Him better. Will we accept His loving invitation?
Ken Staley is the pastor of Faith Church of Pleasant Grove 9:30 a.m. and Harrisville Methodist Church 11 a.m. Both are Global Methodist congregations.
You can text Ken at 918-852-9797
