Living with a 1st generation faith experience

There is nothing like 1st Love… Most of us remember our first “crush.” As special as these early memories are, there is nothing like the early days of the Christian life.

With this in mind, there is nothing more important than handing off the faith to our children. Unfortunately, the narratives in the Old Testament tell tragic stories of men who failed to hand off the faith to their children.

Do you remember, perhaps, the saddest day in Samuel’s life when “…the elders of Israel gathered together and came to Samuel at Ramah. They said to him, “You are old, and your sons do not walk in your ways; now appoint a king to lead us, such as all the other nations have.” 1Samuel 8:4-5

Samuel’s mentor, Eli, is not remembered by most for years of faithful service to Israel and his impact on Samuel's life. In 1Samuel 2:12 we read, “Eli’s sons were wicked men; they had no regard for the LORD.” I do not think I am the only one who visualizes Eli as a “big guy” who lost control of his sons.

I don’t know where you are spiritually, but in Galatians 3:26 Paul reminds us, “You are all sons of God through faith.” The Bible uses the term “adoption” to describe the faith transaction which causes us to become part of God’s family.

It is sad when a married couple begins to take each other for granted. It is tragic when Christ followers begin to take God and the things of God for granted.

Please prayerfully check out the symptoms of loosing the sense of the 1st generation experience.

We're loosing the sense of that 1st generation faith experience when...
1-We take our faith and relationship with God for granted.
Our Christian faith is not like our political affiliation or alma mater. It's not a box we check in a survey or on an application. God became man and died in our place and adopted us into His family as we trust him!

We're loosing the sense of that 1st generation faith experience when...
2-Our behavior leads to a change in our beliefs.
Nobody dabbles with drinking, drugging, immorality or other activities after doing an exhaustive study of the Bible about the issues. Nobody fails to give, read, attend church after doing an exhaustive study of the Bible about the issues. We slowly change our behavior and then change of belief system to accommodate our new behavior. We struggle, for awhile, with the inconsistency and "deal with it" by changing our position on the issue.



We're loosing the sense of that 1st generation faith experience when...
3-We define ourselves in ways other than as a Christian.
Notice how we are identified or how we define ourselves. Most of the time we are defined or noticed by our appearance, career choices, spouse, marital status, zip code or hobby.
Sometimes we are defined by our personalities or skill sets. When we loose that 1st love feeling we cease to think and talk like a follower of Jesus Christ. Imagine what it would look like if being a follower of Jesus Christ defined everything about us!

We're loosing the sense of that 1st generation faith experience when...
4-Our Christian disciplines are rituals or rote behaviors.
I define the Christian Disciplines as reading, praying, church attendance, giving. In Hosea 6:6 god said, “For I desire mercy, not sacrifice, and acknowledgment of God rather than burnt offerings. If we are going through the motions we are in trouble!

On the other hand…
We keep a 1st generation experience to the extent we live for him. We live for Him and personify the 1st generation experience when we:

We'll keep that 1st generation faith experience as we...
1-Maintain a close connection with the Word of God.
This means read, reflect and use the Bible as a guide and a source of wisdom, comfort and direction for all areas of our lives.

We'll keep that 1st generation faith experience as we...
2-Live a life consistent with our calling.
Paul said “As a prisoner for the Lord, then, I urge you to live a life worthy of the calling you have received. Ephesians 4:1. Ponder what it means to live a life “worthy of our calling!”

We'll keep that 1st generation faith experience as we...
3- Constantly prune, evaluate and ask why and why not…
Again Paul said…“You were taught, with regard to your former way of life, to put off your old self, which is being corrupted by its deceitful desires; to be made new in the attitude of your minds; and to put on the new self, created to be like God in true righteousness and holiness. Ephesians 4:22-24 The older I get, the more I stay away from the mirror! This may work in some areas of life, but it does not work in the spiritual realm. In the spiritual realm the mirror is a combination of God's Word and godly people willing to speak into our lives.


We'll keep that 1st generation faith experience as we...
4-Fill our life with decisions that demands God be God.
These decisions often are small but significant decisions…
You will never loose the 1st generation mindset is you fill your life with decisions that demands God be God. This includes decisions to do and be... as well as decisions to refrain from doing, saying and thinking. It is supernatural!

We'll keep that 1st generation faith experience as we...
5-Live a life that allows you to claim God’s promises.
In Acts 20:22-24 Paul spoke to members of Ephesian church saying:
“And now, compelled by the Spirit, I am going to Jerusalem, not knowing what will happen to me there. I only know that in every city the Holy Spirit warns me that prison and hardships are facing me. However, I consider my life worth nothing to me, if only I may finish the race and complete the task the Lord Jesus has given me — the task of testifying to the gospel of God’s grace.” Paul never chose the easy road. He knew God. He knew God's Word. He believed what God said about Himself and what He said to us. With this mindset there is no uncertainty or insecurity.

We'll keep that 1st generation faith experience as we...
6-Tell somebody about Jesus…
And tell your wife, husband, kids, or small group about it.
Disclaimer… This is a command, a trick and a tool.
In 2Cor. 5:19-20 Paul says: God “…has committed to us the message of reconciliation.” He says “We are therefore Christ’s ambassadors, as though God were making his appeal through us. We implore you on Christ’s behalf: Be reconciled to God.” That's the command part. The trick and tool part is built into obeying the command. As we commit ourselves to "the message of reconciliation," [Believe in the Lord Jesus Christ and you will be saved"] our lifestyle and Christian disciplines will be sharpened.

We'll keep that 1st generation faith experience as we...
7-Surround yourself with new believers.
There is nothing more exciting… it is often messy but it will change your life! TRUST me!

Blessings your way...