Thanks for your work in Christ. I just found your website today and registered (recommended by the editors of austin-sparks.net). My wife and I have been “out-of-church” Christ-followers for several years now, though we spent some time recently trying to break into a new, small church where we were living.

I was an “evangelical of evangelicals” my entire life. I was steeped in Scripture, active in ministries, and held leadership positions in the “church”. Yet I led a life full of frustration and self-induced trouble, captive to sins and in constant inner turmoil. It was through many hard trials the Lord Jesus Christ brought me out of that life, and into Himself.

I have a blog, which I’ve been writing and posting to faithfully for almost a year now. Like Paul, Christ took me out into the desert for a couple of years before that, to “unlearn” and discover by the Spirit what the Word of God really says, and to submit my life to His authority. This deliverance is still being worked, but He began giving me His strong teachings and told me to put them out there for those who needed them.

Imagine my shock when I discover He is saying the same to you. Very few speak of the Christ-life versus the “Christian life”. Very few abandon the word “church” in favor of the Ekklesia. Very few talk of a “Christless Christianity”. Yet the Spirit has spoken the same things to me from Scripture, and I praise God that there are others finding that Christ has always been, and always will be the Father’s focus.

Blessings on your work, and I would consider it a privilege if you would take a look at my blog and comment back to me about the teachings there.

My faithful readers are from over 30 countries, and I pray that all those who exalt Christ, and focus on His sufficiency, and on the Christ-life, will be strengthened and encouraged by your teachings, and by mine and others who follow on the narrow road.

I’m looking forward to what God will do through all of us in 2011!

A. Brother Gary

There is so much truth in this article. I have made a copy of this to go back to remind myself what the real goal is when we walk with Him.

I have found myself drawn to places where the Lord truly wasn’t leading me by their music and have learned that “music” is one of the characters of Lucifer.

I believe the Lord is now “waking up” believers that know Him, but have been sleeping. This article outlines where the pitfalls are and how we all need to stay awake.

Years ago (after being saved for many years) my pastor spoke about heaven. I realized it didn’t sound wonderful for me – actually very boring. I went home – still believing I loved the Lord, but I began to really question my walk. I knew the Lord – up to a point. But I realized He had not come alive to me on a daily – hourly – minute basis.

My wakeup call was realizing that He created me – He could do whatever He wanted to with me. We think we have “free will” – and we do – if we want to walk right straight into Hell. He showed me an ant farm and how those little ants are all running around “doing their thing” – believing that they are in control of their world – when in fact He holds the “whole world in His hands.” The wonderful thing is – His great love for us – that while we were yet sinners – Christ died for us.

You were surely resting in the Lord’s hand when you wrote this one!

I discovered that about 20 or so years ago, as the veil began to fall from my eyes so I could truly see. I loved praise and worship, but more and more, as Christ began His work of revealing Himself in me, I realized He really wasn’t the object of our worship anymore. I assume He never was, but I just hadn’t seen it yet. The worship lyrics suddenly began to be just that–words. Empty, lifeless words at that. I was sad about that because it was such a huge part of my life, but knew if I wanted the abundant life He promised me, and to grow up in HIM, I had to follow Him and leave the shallowness of man-made religious observances behind. HE became the object of my adoration, and so brought me more fulfillment than I’d ever known before, even in one thousand and one praise and worship services!

I don’t ever discourage anyone, though, who is in that place I was 20 years ago because I trust that the Father has His gentle timing in bringing those who are SINCERELY seeking Him first into a deeper walk in Christ.

And, although what was life to me no longer brought Life in me, there was a time that the worship (public and private) helped me through some very deep waters, so to me at that time, it was where Father God ministered to my brokenness. So, I am VERY thankful to Him for that. Now, I receive and give love to Him in music, just not at the local organized church. I so appreciate now the traditional hymns, too, when before I thought they were, well, kind of boring! Lol. Praise God for the great hymns of old!

I would add, I am a member of the Ekklesia Christ’ spiritual church but I am also a member of a fellowship. Yes I see many things that could be improved in my fellowship, but I find deep within that my personal ministry includes those within my fellowship who seek a deeper walk with the Lord. It is like they are my neighbours.

Who will show them the way, if we who are in the Ekklesia abandon them to their Christless Christianity?

Christ walked with those who were the rejected members of society. I walk with those who seek Christ in a sometimes Christless church.

Seek Christ and ask Him what you are meant to be doing in your relationship with him.

Dead works, that is work without Christ’s blessing are fruitless, pointless and a waste of your resources given to you by Christ.

Eve UK

Chip, you old sheepdog, what are ya herdin’ up the slopes of Zion?

All I can say is good stuff. Excellent article.
This is a article that you should post often…Bless God