May 7, 2020

Recently, as I was having a conversation with a few people, someone mentioned a phenomenon that could only described by them as spiritual boredom. The term came to mean a sense of apathy and over-familiarity with God, the Bible, the Church and basically, all things Christian. The term was used to describe the general attitude of those in the South who claimed to follow Jesus. 

I think spiritual boredom could be described as the syndrome where people have heard the old-old story of Jesus and his love, but they are no longer moved by it, compelled by it or convicted by it. The most it stirs is a raised eyebrow as they remember days when there was a fire in their belly, but now, that fire has been relegated to the smoldering smoke of replaced and justifiable priorities. At best, they wish there was something that could be done, because down deep, they know something is not quit right. However, they are not sure how to break the cycle, or even if they want to. To break the cycle would mean that they would need to make adjustments in their lives, and surely, that is not what God is after in them. 

So, they continue through their spiritual lives yawning and plodding along, leaving the real revolutionary stuff up to the younger, more energetic people who need to put their own stamp on God’s kingdom and this world. For the bored ones, what are they (you) to do? I guess they should just accept reality, coast into heaven, and be glad that their greatest days are behind them. Besides, they have heaven in front of them, right? 

Yes, that’s true (for born again disciples of Jesus)…but wait a minute! Let’s get personal.

Do you and I really want to simply coast onto the streets of gold…back float up to the gates of pearl…proudly approach the throne of Jesus with our salvation ticket in hand and do like the man who was given a talent but hid it for fear of losing it (Matthew 25:14-30). Not on your Life!!

God has made us for so much more! He has given us so much more! The grace of Christ is not about giving us a pass, but giving us a passion. It’s not about giving us a seat at the table but a desire to serve those around the table and those who don’t even know a table is waiting for them!

How can we begin to understand the depths of all God has for us? One way is to describe the disciple’s purpose in one word: NEW! You have been made new in every way. I would argue that this one fact alone could break the cycle of spiritual boredom and release such a passion in people that they would never be the same.

“If anyone be in Christ, he is a new creation, old things have passed away, behold, all things have become new” (2 Cor. 5:17). What does that really mean for us?

If we are going to break the cycle of spiritual boredom and realize a greater passion that is authentic, compelling and impactful, then we must realize that our new life in Christ, when we came to Him for salvation, has afforded us everything we need to keep life exciting and filled with adventure. 

For every disciple of Jesus Christ, there are four things He has made new in your life, and when we realize these four things, our faith will never again be routine.

1. New Motivation 

2 Corinthians 5:14 says, “For the love of Christ compels us…”. Nothing should motivate the disciple to live radically and boldly for Christ than love for Christ. This is the disciple’s purest and best motivation. Love for Christ steers everything else in our life. It prioritizes everything in our life. It sets into meaning everything in our life. Love for Christ causes us to love our families, love others and even love our enemies. So, what motivates you? 

1. New Direction

Rather than living for themselves, Christ puts within the new believer a direction that leads them toward a life pleasing to Christ, selfless and pliable for use in God’s kingdom. 2 Corinthians 5:15 says, “And He (Jesus) died for all, that those who live might no longer live for themselves but for Him who for their sake died and was raised.” A life that is self-directed, self-centered and driven by a passion for the natural world will not be a God-directed life. That life is not connected to Christ, because in Him, your direction is made new. Where are you headed?

1. New Relationships

Before a person comes to Christ, they regard people based on all kinds of biases and prejudices. However, in Christ, all those things are to be put away. We are to love people and relate to them as Christ would be pleased. Disciples resist barriers of color, socio-economic or even religious differences. For the sake of the Gospel, we build relationships believing all people to be created equally. 2 Corinthians 5:16 says, “From now on, we regard no one according to the flesh. Even though we once regarded Christ according to the flesh, we regard Him thus no longer.” Are you pursuing relationships with people for the sake of the Gospel that are authentic and not filled with bias or prejudice?

1. New Purpose

Everyone is searching for their purpose. Why am I here? What is my purpose in life? While people do things of all kinds, disciples have one overarching purpose that defines who they are and why God left them on the earth after coming to Him for salvation. 2 Corinthians 5:18-21 says, “All this is from God, who through Christ reconciled us to himself and gave us the ministry of reconciliation; that is, in Christ God was reconciling the world to himself, not counting their trespasses against them, and entrusting to us the message of reconciliation. Therefore, we are ambassadors for Christ, God making his appeal through us. We implore you on behalf of Christ, be reconciled to God. For our sake he made him to be sin who knew no sin, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God.” This is our new purpose: to be His ambassadors in our homes, in our neighborhoods, in our cities, on our jobs, when we travel, where we shop, where we attend school, where we vacation…no matter where we go or what we do. Our purpose is to represent Him and display Him before a watching and needy world! Are you fulfilling your purpose?

If you want to break the cycle of spiritual boredom and truly experience your faith on radical levels with God, then be motivated to do everything with love for Christ, move in the direction of God’s kingdom agenda, discover new relationships with people based on your love for them as creations of God and realize your purpose as an ambassador of Jesus Christ in this world. If you do this, there is no way you will ever get bored in your faith, because God will put you on an adventure with Him everyday!

Let’s go…

Dr. Craig Hamlin

Share this post: