“If faith makes no practical difference in the way we live, there’s a disconnect. The biggest hindrance to the gospel is not atheism or some other religion; it’s when Christian faith is expressed in name only.”- Rich Villodas
I will give you a new heart and put a new spirit in you; I will remove from you your heart of stone and give you a heart of flesh.”- Ezekiel 36:26 (NIV)
Rich Villodas concludes Chapter 11 of The Narrow Path with four components to consider in knowing God’s will.
1. Desire God’s will. In Psalm 40:8, David emphasized his desire to do God’s will. However, Rich states, note what David did not say. David never expressed his desire to think, consider, or know God’s will.
So, Pastor Villodas asks, do you ever wonder if following Jesus is worth it? Do you suspect that Jesus’ narrow path steals your freedoms? But the vision of Jesus’ gives us of God’s grace and goodness never makes us obey from a forced sense of duty. Rather, we obey from a place of delight and desire.
2. Search the Scriptures. We must saturate ourselves in the wisdom of the Holy Scriptures in order to discern God’s will. Furthermore, in its pages we learn the value system of God’s kingdom. Above all, this requires a steady, slow, and inquisitive approach. Because it’s easy to overlook aspects of Gods will.
3. Listen to your heart. As we follow Jesus, we listen discerningly to our hearts. In the process we trust the presence of the Holy Spirit to guide us. The apostle Paul said it this way to the church in Philippi:
“It is God who works in you to will and to act in order to fulfill his good purpose.”- Philippians 2:13 (NIV)
4. Pursue community wisdom. In conclusion, Rich stresses the ready availability of God’s wisdom and guidance. Not always mysterious. Yet, we often need community input and discernment to help us discover it.
Hence, clarity comes when we pray as well as discuss it with fellow Christians seeking God alongside us.
Today’s question: What do you see as the biggest hindrance to the gospel? Please share.
Tomorrow’s blog: “Created God in your own image?”