"SENSUOUS vs. FOUNDATIONAL" “As Christians we need to have more than sensuous salvation (sensible go by “feeling” experience) relationship with Christ, we need to have a foundational based (deeper understanding) relationship with him.” A sensuous Christian is defined; one who acts or pertain to the senses or sensible objects. Which is very prevalent in today’s modern Christian attitude toward God. The sensuous Christian cannot be moved for service, they don’t want to pray, or study unless they “feel like it”. Their Christian life is only as effective as the intensity of their present feelings. When the sensuous Christians experiences spiritual euphoria, they are a whirlwind of godly activity; but when they experience a state of depression or any negative vibes, they become spiritually incompetent. These are the type of Christians who are constantly seeking new and fresh spiritual experiences (which never satisfy), uses this in the place of God’s (foundational) word. Their “inner feeling” now become the ultimate test of truth in their lives. Scripture says, “If thou faint in the mist of adversity, then thy faith is small.” A sensuous Christian feels they don’t need to study the word of God, because they already know the will of God from their inner feelings. Eventually they really don’t want to know God, or understand the depth of his power, that is found in the study of his word. They want only to experience His spiritual present in their lives, through “praise and worship”; and nothing else. In knowing Christ in this way is like picking peddles from a flower; “he loves me, he loves me not”; all along hoping for the right outcome. A relational encountered of this type only-does not give the Believer the foundational support they need in times of turbulent. They will have up’s and down’s, in and outs, multiple insecurities in their walking with Christ, because of the “surface” relationship they have with Him. This makes it difficult in maintaining their spiritual strength, without having the word of God embedded into their hearts. Psalms 119: 9-12, “thy word Lord have I hidden in my heart, that I might not sin against you.” (Also see Deut 6:9) (A relational spirituality) is defined: when a personal relationship in God and your experience only, take precedence over the power of God’s word. An example I like to refer to is Jesus and 12 Disciples. As long as Jesus was with them they felt secure in their belief, but when Christ was crucified, they went back to their fishing. Why? Did Jesus chosen them? Walked and talked with them, ate with them, even sat down and taught them many things. Yes! But the only problem with His disciples was, the “word” was with them, not in them. They lack the embedded power which comes by being engross in the word of God. A Christian should not only want to experience the Lord’s present, but want to know Him by understanding the depth of His power found only in the His word. This can only be accomplished through the constant study of God’s heart, which is the scripture. Christians are only as strong as what they know through their studying of God’s We say during many praise and worship moments, “I would not serve a God that I could not feel sometime.” But what happens when there is a conflict between what God says and what you feel? We must do what God says (in His word, the Bible), like it or not. That is what Christianity is all about. OBEDIANCE! “Not my will, but His will be done in my life.” Finally, the main reason why we should study the Bible is because it is our duty as a Believer. Supporting Scriptural texts: Main text Matt 4:4, 7, 10 (Jesus defeated Satan with the word of God).
What is “knowledge”? What is “wisdom”?
“Study to show thyself approved of God.” by Elder Derek Sorrells |