Aiming Higher

I am reading great book by Bishop J.C. Ryle called ‘Holiness’. This book is a case study on why it is important for Christians to be consistently reading soul-satisfying, thirst-quenching, sin-convicting books. So far, Ryle draws a clear distinction between God’s role and our role in the sanctification process. While God is intimately involved in our growth, there is none of this ‘Let-go-and-let-God’ philosophy. We are to participate in our own growth… we just don’t stand by idly and hope that God is going to hold us by the lazy hand and do everything for us (for example, see 2 Peter 1, where we see God’s part and our part in the growth process clearly outlined).

Believers have settled for a brand of Christianity that lacks vision and is content with mediocrity. We embrace every wind of doctrine because diligent study of God’s word is ‘too hard’. Our worship is lackluster and our evangelism stinks because we think people will laugh at our devotion and think we’re religious nuts.

I say we aim higher. Did not Christ die to deliver us? Could we not put a whole-hearted effort into our relationship with Him? Should not our prayers be more fervent and our Bible intake be more regular and meaningful? Aim higher. Should not our affections of Jesus Christ be more sincere? Shouldn’t we have a white-hot passion for the things of God regardless of what people say or think? We ought to aim higher! When we’re cut, we ought to bleed scripture. When we breathe, words from God’s Word ought to burst forth from our souls. Aiming higher in our faith… that’s when people will start to realize that Christians are for real, and God will get the glory.