Confessions of Irresponsibility (the Part-Time Christian)
Of the 1,347 people who perished, something close to 90% were men who gave up their lives so women and children could live.
In another story, the sinking of a ship called “The Empress of Ireland” in 1914, there were 130 Salvation Army officers on board — some of them old women — who gave up their life preservers, even to strong men, saying, “I can die better than you can.”
What the pastor said made me think: If you were one of the survivors and someone gave his or her life up to save yours, wouldn’t it change the way you lived from that day forward?
Most of us would agree — Yes, definitely!
And yet Jesus gave up His life for us. We have all been on that sinking ship (and maybe still are), but Jesus gave us a life preserver — one he paid for with his life. We have been saved, ultimately, from the greatest disaster.
Has if profoundly changed the way we live? Are we living a true Christian life, or are we only walking with God when it’s convenient?
Confessions of a Part-Time Christian
Welcome to part 6 of the Going By Faith series “Uncovering Sin and Finding Forgiveness.” For the previous confession, click “confessions of greed.”
If you feel like you’ve been living like a part-time Christian, living for God sometimes and turning away other times, take a moment to repent. You can do this by praying with the Bible verse below. Next, read the questions one by one — answer them truthfully. Confess it if you’ve been irresponsible toward God. Be honest — this is between you and Him.
Every “yes” answer means sin in your life. Name it, and let there be no excuse — admit it and ask forgiveness.
Pray
Below are three translations of 1 Corinthians 4:2. Reading all three can give us a special glimpse into the true meaning of being responsible with our saved life in God’s eyes.
“Now it is required that those who have been given a trust must prove faithful.” (NIV)
“Now, a person who is put in charge as a manager must be faithful.” (NLV)
“Moreover, it is required of stewards that they be found trustworthy.” (ESV)
Confess
- Are you undependable so that you cannot be trusted with responsibilities in the Lord’s work?
- Are you allowing your emotions to be stirred for things of the Lord but doing nothing about it?
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Keeping faith in everyday Christian life helps us get through trials, but it also helps us to live, think and trust like Christ — keeping our hearts open to God to do His work in us, through us and around us. In other words, we become responsible and trustworthy stewards of our faith.
Heavenly Father, shine the light of your love into our hearts so that it can pour out to others. Help us walk with you full-time, in every area of this life you have given us to live. May our life show your glory.
Thank you Christ Life Ministriesfor granting permission to use your content (concept and confession questions).