Emotional Energy

Recently I have noticed a trend in the thought process of many Christians. Many have started to revert back to the thought process of the Reformers and Protestants of the Church of England in the 18th- 19th centuries. As wonderful as this spiritual awakening is, we need to be careful and wise. Although these times were some of great spiritual movement, there are some parts of that movement and the current, modern iteration that concern me.

One of those things is the assumption of certain hardline doctrinal stances. Often these are only held due to convincing teaching of preachers we consider powerful and important. Tragically, they often have little Scriptural support. We need to be wary of the warning Paul gave Timothy that we are not to allow certain men to teach strange doctrines or to speculate about things for which we have no sure Biblical support. We have a gnostic take on much of Scripture that should not be so.

Another thing that concerns me is the attitude that comes with this. We have an attitude of being unworthy before God. And this is true. We are indeed unworthy before God, we deserve punishment. But after our realization of this, and our obedience to God, we need to mature in our Faith and actions. We are to move from this sense of self-worthlessness to a sense of the worthiness of God.

In the Book of Revelation, we see John in Heaven. What do the angels and beings before the Throne talk about? Their own lack of worth? No, the worthiness of God. (e.g. Rev. 19:6 ff) What is the difference? Is there even one? Have I just become a picky old man who enjoys fruitless discussion?

I do not think so. The difference here is the moving from self obsession to Godly pursuit. We are unworthy. But some people get a spiritual and emotional 'high' from obsessing over this. They enjoy the feeling; they revel in it. And enjoying life in God is wonderful, make no mistake. However, we need to make sure that we are focusing on God, not ourselves. Sometimes we get too caught up in our own emotions.

Conclusion

So what's the point? That we need to focus on God; not our own emotions. We need to make sure that we aren't just trying to fuel an emotional high. We need to make sure our focus is intact. Let us move on toward maturity in Christ.