Faith and Family

Most Christians are educated way beyond their level of obedience.

Most Christians are Educated

Most Christians are educated way beyond their level of obedience.  (Dr. Maxwell)

 

And it’s awkward…

 

Like an overweight doctor telling me I have to lose weight, or someone with a degree in business management who clearly can’t manage.

 

I get it; it’s a cultural thing.  I am absolutely a fan of our education system, but many degrees are designed primarily to learn information ABOUT something.  Though this is a good thing, you don’t have to be able to DO any of the stuff you learn, you just have to memorize information about it and then you’re the “expert”.  The church can be the same. We are creating a culture of armchair quarterback Christians who are loud, opinionated “experts” shouting from the living room at their TV.  They don’t actually participate in giving to the poor, social justice, or evangelism, but they are quick to tell everyone how it should be done.

 

And it’s awkward…

 

Like the guy with the Jesus fish on his bumper who gives you the bird as he cuts you off in traffic; like the angry blogger who fully believes in tolerance vehemently ripping apart someone who thinks differently.

 

So, to all those who claim to be Christian…

 

I am not asking if you think taking care of the poor is a good idea, I am asking do you take care of the poor?

 

I am not asking if you agree with Jesus, I am asking do you actually try living like him?

 

I am not asking if you believe prayer is a great idea, I am asking if you actually pray?

 

I am not asking if you think spending time with your family is important, I am asking if you actually spend quality time with your family?

 

I am not asking if you think church is important, I am asking if you actually make it a priority?

 

Just because someone knows the right information about a topic doesn’t at all mean they are living it out.

 

Are you educated way beyond your level of obedience? What bothers me even more are the sideline, armchair, living room (you pick the metaphor) Christians who rip apart those who are trying to make a difference.  Don’t get me wrong, we need accurate, well-studied people, but what we need more are well read, theologically sound Christians who are ACTUALLY living like Christ.

If you are not, well…

 

It’s awkward…

 

Honestly, I think I am guilty too.  I don’t want to just talk about Jesus I also want to mirror his ways in my family, church, and community.

 

I think the juxtaposition in the Bible is right on!  Though our good works don’t save us (Ephesians 2:8-9) if our salvation is not active… it may be dead.  (James 2:17)

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Comments

6 responses to “Most Christians are educated way beyond their level of obedience.”

  1. Matt Sherman Avatar
    Matt Sherman

    It’s a matter of the heart. If what you know doesn’t change you then do you really believe it. James 2:19 shows that even the demons know and they at least have the decency to shudder!! If you insist upon your personality over the indwelling Holy Spirit then do you really follow His Lordship? Jesus says in Matthew 18:3 that we are to become like little children. We should ask ourselves, “Today, am I listening to Dad?”. What good is knowledge of the Word while rejecting its transforming power? 2 Tim 3:2 “….lovers of self, lovers of money, proud, arrogant, abusive, disobedient to their parents, ungrateful, unholy, 3 heartless, unappeasable, slanderous, without self-control, brutal, not loving good, 4 treacherous, reckless, swollen with conceit, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God, 5 having the appearance of godliness, but denying its power. Avoid such people.”

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  2. Mike Colaw Avatar
    Mike Colaw

    Good word! I am reading a book right now that tackles two movements in our culture when it comes to studying the Bible. 1) Churches that look at the Bible like brilliant textual critics. They are masters at analyzing the text but their hearts are far from the heart of God. 2) Churches that so personalize the Bible they loose any accurate analysis of the text. The author pushes pastors to embrace a type of juxtaposition. To study as accurately as possible and to internalize as much as possible.

    Reply
  3. J. Loren Norris Avatar
    J. Loren Norris

    Reblogged this on Excellent Life Leadership by J Loren Norris and commented:
    I doesn’t really matter what you know. If you don’t do what you know as it is.

    Reply
    1. Mike Colaw Avatar
      Mike Colaw

      Thanks Loren!

      Reply
  4. Daniel Levite Avatar
    Daniel Levite

    Good one. Makes me think. I know you had formal education in view here. In a general sense we have to be educated beyond our level of obedience. Rom 10 says learning what and how to obey must come before obedience. People do not obey Christ by nature and they don’t do it by accident.
    Also, Christian’s aren’t the only ones with the kind of behavior you describe in the article. All non-Christians do these things as well. It is only as we mature in Christ that we can overcome these behaviors. Some more than others.

    Reply
    1. Mike Colaw Avatar
      Mike Colaw

      Good thoughts Dan! I think you are technically correct. To keep growing we must keep learning. Thus staying “more” educated than our actions is inevitable. The implication Dr. Maxwell is trying to make (as well as I am in the blog) is simply this. As most Christians continue to learn information about God it often doesn’t translate into the actions of their daily lives at the same rate.
      Your second point is spot on! I agree.

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