How is the ME doing in relation to our study?

How can we describe the condition of the church, (our individual selves), in our times?

One of the most striking parallels in Scripture for the church today is found in the book of Isaiah concerning the people of Israel. The first five chapters depict not just a self understanding of Israel, but of God’s understanding of His people, as well as His solution to their problem.

Isaiah 1:4 Ah, sinful nation, a people laden with iniquity, a seed of evildoers, children that are corrupters! They have forsaken the LORD, they have provoked the Holy One of Israel unto anger, they have gone away backward.

1:6 From the sole of the foot even unto the head, there is no soundness in it, but wounds and bruises and putrefying sores; they have not been closed, neither bound up, neither mollified with ointment.

God complains that His people do not know Him!

They are observing the rituals and sacrifices, but He does not delight in them. The people are more interested in wine and mirth, and in decking themselves out with costly ornaments, than in right and moral relationships.

This could also be an accurate picture in general of the church today, especially in America.

Syncretism and Secularization in the Church

Syncretism attempts to solve the problem of the plurality of truth-claims by relativising them all.

Secularization is the process by which religion is shoved to the periphery of human concern. The other things that really matter to us outstrip Christianity in importance.

How Do We Measure Up Concerning What We Have Studied?

What is a Christian? 

A Christian is someone first and foremost who has been forgiven of personal sin and reconciled to God the Father through placing his/her faith in Jesus Christ. If you honestly evaluate yourself to determine if
you are truly a Christian, how do you measure up?

The Character of God

By listening and following God’ Word, we image and display God’s character and glory. Is the church healthy? Are you and I healthy, in the respect that our lives reveal God’s character? How is His character seen in us through our responses when we are treated unfairly?

God’s Word, Understood &  Taught 

Is the character of God revealed in our lives—because we take the time to study His Word—so that we know what God’s character should look like in us?

Are We Really Converted?  

Proverbs 23:7b For as he thinketh in his heart, so is he. If we are truly converted, our thinking has changed concerning sin, God, and our responsibility to live according to His desire for us. If we are converted, our lives reflect it. Do our lives reflect it?

Hebrews 10:23-25 Let us hold fast to the profession of our faith without wavering (for He is faithful who promised), How well are you and I following this verse?

Church Membership & Me

Am I a bonified member of a church? If not, why not? Am I committed to the local church as much as I am
to all the other important things in my life?

Do I Need the Church to Exercise Discipline on Me?
Am I living my life in such a way that I need someone to care enough and hold me accountable? Does someone need to call me out on my attitude or actions? Is my life currently honoring God and the commitments I have made? If not, how would I respond if someone intervened?

Am I aware that Jesus knows what is going on in my life when He disapproves of it? If so, what am I going to do to change that?

Who Is My Model?
Is my model the world and the culture that I listen to and watch through media? Is my model my friends?
Are my friend models who are following Christ?

What is my relationship model?
What guides the relationships I allow myself to be involved in?

What is my business model?
How do I treat my employer, or employees? Who comes first?

Who am I becoming?
Who is it that my actions right now, today, reflect who I will be one month, six months, or one year from now? Our actions and attitudes today will determine who we will become tomorrow, in six months, and one year from now.

As a child of God, should I be satisfied with that?  Is God satisfied with that?

Eternity depends on knowing Christ as Savior, and our life on earth and in eternity depends upon the choices we make today.