Stories are a powerful way to convey important messages. In the world of storytelling, character development plays a crucial role. To understand why a character makes certain choices, we delve into their backstory, examining the events that have significantly shaped their lives. Think about stories like Bambi, The Lion King, and Peter Pan, where each character experienced a life-altering event. Similarly, when someone comes to Christ, they undergo a transformation that can only be compared to the most significant backstory of all time—Jesus' sacrifice for humanity. In this blog post, we'll explore the concept of considering our ways, using the right scorecard, and how it can impact our journey of faith.

The Church and Its Varied Approaches

In our community of churches here in Grand Rapids, we strive to disciple people towards Christ. Each church employs its unique resources and approaches to invest in the spiritual growth of its members. Some churches prioritize education, emphasizing knowledge and certifications through Bible studies and educational programs. Others focus on accountability, creating groups and committees to ensure that biblical teachings are deeply ingrained in the lives of their members. And then there are churches that center their worship experiences around magnifying Christ through awe-inspiring music that transports worshippers to heavenly realms.

While these approaches differ, they all have a common thread—a scorecard that defines what success looks like for them. These scorecards reflect the church's values and priorities, shaping the way they serve their congregations and their communities.

Walking by Faith: The Core of Christian Life

Education, knowledge, accountability, and spiritual disciplines like prayer and worship all play important roles in a Christian's journey. However, what truly impacts a person's walk with God is often found in the very first Beatitude: "Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven" (Matthew 5:3). Those who grow most in their walk with God are often those who embody humility.

Each believer learns that walking by faith is a foundational aspect of their Christian life. Accepting Christ as Savior is just the beginning; it marks the commencement of living by faith—a life where faith influences one's character and decisions. It entails comparing one's life to the biblical standard set in God's Word and consistently choosing to align actions with God's will.

Satan's Delay Tactics

However, Satan employs various tactics to hinder or derail our walk of faith. These tactics aim to instill doubt, fear, self-sufficiency, or reliance on what we see in the physical world. Succumbing to these tactics can hinder our spiritual growth and prevent us from fully trusting God.

1. Doubt: Satan attempts to make us doubt God's ways, the truth of Scriptures, or the character of Christ and our spiritual leaders. Doubt can lead to instability in our faith.

2. Fear: When we are fearful, we are not trusting God. Fear can paralyze our faith, preventing us from stepping out in obedience.

3. Self-Sufficiency: Relying on our own abilities rather than God's guidance leads to self-sufficiency, which is contrary to walking by faith.

4. Sight: Trusting what we see in the physical world rather than resting in God's sovereignty can distract us from living by faith.

In each of these tactics, Satan seeks to delay our walk of faith, causing us to rely on ourselves and neglect God's guidance. It's crucial to recognize and resist these tactics in order to grow in our faith.

Reaping What We Sow

The principle of reaping what we sow is evident throughout Scripture. The choices we make directly impact our lives. If we choose to live by sight rather than by faith, it will affect our lives negatively. As Galatians 6:7-8 tells us, "Do not be deceived: God is not mocked, for whatever one sows, that will he also reap. For the one who sows to his own flesh will from the flesh reap corruption, but the one who sows to the Spirit will from the Spirit reap eternal life."

Haggai's Call to Consider Our Ways

Haggai, a prophet from the Old Testament, points out the consequences of Israel's failure to consider their ways. They had the wrong scorecard. Although they were successful in providing for their families and meeting their basic needs, they were not in alignment with God's command to rebuild His temple.

Haggai's message to them was clear: "Consider your ways!" (Haggai 1:7). He highlighted how they had sown much but reaped little, worked hard but had little to show for it. Why? Because they prioritized their own houses over God's house.

God's Glory Matters

God's glory matters above all else. When we prioritize our desires and ambitions over God's commands, we can expect consequences. The heavens may withhold the dew, and the earth may withhold its fruit. God's glory cannot be compromised.

Satan's delay tactics had worked on the Israelites, and they were reaping what they had sown. Their actions were not aligned with God's scorecard, and they had to live with the consequences of their choices.

New Testament Examples of Considering Our Ways

Consider the New Testament's warning in 1 Corinthians 11:29, where Paul addresses the Corinthians regarding the Lord's Supper. He emphasizes the importance of judging oneself and considering one's ways. Many among them were weak, sick, or asleep because they approached the communion table in an unworthy manner. They failed to judge themselves according to God's standards.

The Correct Scorecard: Loving God and Loving Others

The correct scorecard for Christians is prioritizing what is critical to God—loving God and loving others. It's not about achieving personal milestones or titles within the church; it's about living a life that supremely loves God and extends that love to others. This is what truly matters.

Conclusion

In your own life, how do you evaluate your walk with God? What scorecard do you use to gauge your spiritual journey? It's essential to have the right scorecard—one that reflects the priorities of loving God and loving others. Consider your ways from this perspective, and you'll find that success in your Christian walk is not determined by human achievements but by your love for God and others. May we all strive to align our lives with this divine scorecard, for in doing so, we fulfill the greatest commandments and bring glory to God.

1. How do you define character development, and why is it important in storytelling and in our Christian journey?

2. Can you share a personal experience where realizing God's love for you had a significant impact on your life and faith journey?

3. In your opinion, what scorecards do churches often use to measure success? Are these scorecards aligned with biblical priorities?

4. How can we overcome Satan's delay tactics like doubt, fear, self-sufficiency, and relying on what we see in the physical world in our walk of faith?

5. What are some practical ways to prioritize loving God and loving others in our daily lives and within our church community?

6. Have you ever had a moment where you had to consider your ways and realign your priorities with God's? What was the outcome?

7. In what ways can we apply the principle of reaping what we sow in our spiritual lives? How can we ensure we are sowing to the Spirit?