God's Desires for His People

"Where?" his startled people asked.

"In disciples' hearts." replied the pastor.

The attendant phenomena present at the first Pentecost were flames of fire, a rushing mighty wind, and the apostles of Christ heralding forth the gospel in the respective languages of the people.

The human tendency is to become preoccupied with Pentecostal phenomena, whereas the thrust of Scripture is for believers to concentrate on Pentecostal substance, which is "Christ in you, the hope of glory."(1)

The uninformed and immature Christian mind tends to seek for signs and wonders, the sensational and spectacular. Feelings, phenomena and religious "hype"–that's the popular American Christian diet thousands are feeding on.

Allow me to suggest what I perceive to be some God's earnest desires for His people at the close of this century.

God Desires His People to Possess an Intense Appetite for Him Alone.

Jesus said there was one condition for all those who desired to be filled with the Holy Spirit: "If anyone is thirsty, let him come to me and drink."(2)

How many man-made systematic formulae we religious ideologues have constructed in the laboratories of our cloistered communities, and then pawned them off on some weak, conscientious soul craving for spiritual reality, only for them to eventually discover that the "Two-step" program didn't work (or Three-step–or Twelve-step, for that matter).

The craving Christian's thirst will ultimately bring him to the feet of Jesus. He may start elsewhere, and he may even strike out on some tangents, but if he or she continues to hunger for spiritual fullness, a merciful God will see to it that the thirsty-hearted are satisfied.

God Desires His People to Live a Cleansed Life.

Isn't it about time we quite splitting theological "hairs" regarding the sin issue and, in the words of Vance Havner, "Let's just be Christians."

Paul exhorts: "...let us cleanse ourselves from all defilement of flesh and spirit, perfecting holiness in the fear of God."(3)

Personally, I'm not aquatinted with a godly Calvinist or a godly Wesleyan who believes a Christian should live anyway other than pleasing to God. Godliness is godliness, whatever our man-made theological labels.

When Charles Swindoll says that he made a covenant with God when he joined the Marines that he purposed to return home as clean as the day he entered the service, and then kept that covenant. Isn't that what matters to God?

It's not that doctrine is irrelevant–I'm not suggesting that. But isn't how a person lives what is fundamentally important to the Lord? The Church will never come to agreement on doctrines of secondary importance.

God Desires to Make His Home in the Hearts of His People.

Jesus said of the obedient disciple, "If anyone loves me, he will obey my teaching. My Father will love him, and we will come to him and make our home with him."(4)

Although all Christians are indwelt by the Holy Spirit,(5) yet there is a real sense in which the heart is only home to Christ's obedient followers.

Listen to Robert Munger's own testimony:

"I said to myself, 'I have been trying to keep this heart of mine clean and available for Christ but it is hard work. I start on one room and no sooner have I cleaned it than I discover another room is dirty. I begin on the second room and the first one is dusty again. I'm getting tired trying to maintain a clean heart and an obedient life. I'm just not up to it.'

"Suddenly I asked, 'Lord, is there a possibility you would be willing to manage the whole house and operate it for me....'

"I could see his face light up as he replied, 'I'd love to! This is exactly what I came to do. You can't live the Christian life in your own strength. That is impossible. Let me do it for you and through you. That's the only way it will really work! But,' he added slowly, 'I am not the owner of this house. Remember, I'm here as your guest. I have no authority to take charge since the property is not mine.'

"In a flash it all became clear. Excitedly I exclaimed, 'Lord, you have been my guest and I have been trying to play host. From now on you are going to be the owner and master of the house.'"(6)

God Desires for His People to Love Him–-with Their All

On the shores of Galilee, the resurrected Lord asked His recently repentant and broken disciple simply one question: "Peter, do you love me?"(7) This is our Lord's last recorded question to Peter.

Of all the questions Bible scholars and Church leaders may have put to Peter, our Lord only wanted to know, "Who's First in your life?" "Whom do you owe your fundamental allegiance to?" "Who is the supreme Object of your affections?" "Who is the controlling Interest in all your pursuits?"

Denominational leaders nor local church boards can legislate enough rules to affect godly living. It must come from above; it must come from within. The secret is found and maintained in one's walk with God Himself in the company of His Church. "'This is the covenant I will make with the house of Israel . . . declares the LORD. 'I will will put my law in their minds and write it on their hearts. I will be their God, and they will be my people.'"(8)

Kenneth (author of the Living Bible) and Margaret Taylor raised ten children without a television because they chose not to own one (they still don't have one). It was a decision they made because they believed it would be the best choice for them. They didn't do this because of some legalistic man-made rule. They didn't do this because of feeling pressure from others to conform. It was a personal decision of conscience made before God.

Man-made code-ethics stunt Christian growth; the Gospel of grace promotes growth. Conformity to Christ and conformity to Pharisaical systems are not to be confused!

God Desires for His People to Seek Him–-Not Religious Experiences

I will be forever indebted to all those who helped this stumbling pilgrim in his formative Christian years. Those dear people, who now come to mind, far excelled any of my feeble attainments. Their lives were graced by the muti-faceted fruit of the Spirit. They were beautiful saints.

It probably wasn't their fault, but it took me years before I came to the understanding that the Christian life is relational (a relationship with the Father through Jesus Christ, His Son), not experience-oriented (one trip to the altar; two trips to the altar, etc.).

To encounter Jesus Christ in a conversion experience. Certainly the Apostle Paul had an experience on the Damascus Road. When I came to Christ as a 16 year old, it was an unforgettable experience.

But just as in marriage where the focus should be on the other person instead of on the initial wedding ceremony–or any other numerous experiences–so the believer's focus should be on His Lord instead of the Damascus Road or the Upper Room. "Let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith ..."(9) "I want to know Christ ..."(10) "The disciples were overjoyed when they saw the Lord."(11)

Maturing Christians increasing learn that their primary focus is on
the Savior–not salvation;
the Justifier–not justification;
the Sanctifier–not sanctification.

My prayer is that I will desire for myself and for God's people what God desires for me and His Church.

Yes, Pastor Pregizer was correct in his analysis of what substantially occurred on the Day of Pentecost: fire in the hearts of Christ's disciples.

With all the religious froth which is being advertised for the real thing in our day, maybe some of us need to step back, as Jim Bakker did while imprisoned, and assess whether or not our emphases is God's emphases.

What does God really desire for His People? The answer to that question will inevitably lead us to Christ and the Cross.

Isn't it about time for Christians to rediscover their Lord? When that happens–one by one–the Church will be revived.

All Scripture quotations are taken from the NIV, except where indicated.

1. Col. 1:27
2. John 7:37
3. 2 Cor. 7:1, NASB
4. John 14:23
5. See Rom. 8:9; John 14:17
6. My Heart–Christ's Home by Robert Munger
7. John 21:15f
8. Jer. 31:33
9. Heb. 12:2
10. Phil. 3:10
11. John 20:20