Some time ago, a Christian said to me, "I wish the pastor would stop preaching about how to live and just tell us more about Bible history and present intellectual substance."
I was floored, because this was a person who had been under excellent preaching for years. It was evident to me that my friend was not interested in the person of the Lord Jesus, but wanted to satisfy the intellect in order to justify a refusal of The Cross.
The whole Word of God is about how to live. Yes, it is a historical and certainly an intellectual document. But that is not God's intent. When the resident interpreter comes to live in the born again believer, the words jump off the page into the heart.
During my high school years I went to a wonderful Christian and Missionary Alliance church. Although I had not met the Lord, I was there every time the door was open. I always tried to avoid Shirley.
Shirley was probably in her early 50's and she was quite mentally retarded. The thing is, Shirley had really met Jesus Christ. and she lived for Him. Shirley could rattle off more verses, and with a radiant face. In a decade that premiered mini-skirts and heavy eyeliner, Shirley looked like a dork. She always wore full skirts, but without the fashionable layered and starched petticoats. She wore saddle shoes with huge white bobby socks that were rolled instead of folded. No teen would be caught dead talking with Shirley.
The problem was, Shirley was filled with the Holy Spirit. And, she was discerning. She could not read, but she was the only person who knew that I was not saved. She came at me all the time. She cornered me. She prayed for me. She embarrassed me.
Years later I met the Lord Jesus. The instant I met Him, I recognized what He had done for me through Shirley.
Soldier of The Cross, He satisfies the intellect. He satisfies the emotions. He satisfies any prayer of His Own, but only when we agree with Him and live as He said we ought.
Where are you? What are you willing to pay? Little, much? Or everything?
Those who are willing to pay everything will know freedom and the delight of His Presence.
There is no shortcut.