Among the many seekers at the Body, Mind & Spirit Festival in Melbourne this weekend were Christians; people who have committed their lives to Christ, but were curious about what they might find at this festival. While I understand the attraction of the festival to people who are on a spiritual quest and are yet to encounter the saving grace of Jesus Christ, it was those who had experienced God's grace but were looking for more that concerned me the most.
Through a number of conversations with these Christians, it was interesting to observe the discomfort, almost embarrassment, in their demeanor as they tried to justify their attendance at the festival to another Christ follower. It was as though they intuitively knew they were somewhere they shouldn't be and were trying to convince themselves as much as us that it was okay. Far from wanting to cast judgement about the curiosity of another Christian, nor wanting to act as the spiritual conscience for another, it does raise a number of faith questions worth considering.
What is your real motive for attending the festival?
"Acknowledge the God of your father, and serve him with wholehearted devotion and with a willing mind, for the Lord searches every heart and understands every desire and every thought." (2 Chronicles 28:9)
What is missing in your faith experience?
"His divine power has given us everything we need for a godly life through our knowledge of him who called us by his own glory and goodness." (2 Peter 1:3)
What dangers are you exposing yourself to?
"Do not turn to mediums or seek out spiritists, for you will be defiled by them. I am the Lord your God." (Leviticus 19:31)
What is the impact to the credibility of your testimony?
"Be careful, however, that the exercise of your freedom does not become a stumbling-block to the weak." (1Corinthians 8:9)
There is so much more I could say about the above verses that are but a representation of the entire counsel of God's Word on this matter, but it is not my intention to preach or to condemn but to guide towards the source of truth. The Apostle Paul urges Christ followers to "continue in what you have learned and have become convinced of, because you know those from whom you learned it, and how from infancy you have known the Holy Scriptures, which are able to make you wise for salvation through faith in Christ Jesus. All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, so that the servant of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work" (2 Timothy 3:14-17).
Jesus IS "the way and the truth and the life" (John 14:6) and His Spirit "will guide you into all truth" (John 16:13). Jesus warns us that "the thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy" and reminds us that He has "come that they may have life, and have it to the full" (John 10:10). Jesus is more than enough!
There is so much more I could say about the above verses that are but a representation of the entire counsel of God's Word on this matter, but it is not my intention to preach or to condemn but to guide towards the source of truth. The Apostle Paul urges Christ followers to "continue in what you have learned and have become convinced of, because you know those from whom you learned it, and how from infancy you have known the Holy Scriptures, which are able to make you wise for salvation through faith in Christ Jesus. All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, so that the servant of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work" (2 Timothy 3:14-17).
Jesus IS "the way and the truth and the life" (John 14:6) and His Spirit "will guide you into all truth" (John 16:13). Jesus warns us that "the thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy" and reminds us that He has "come that they may have life, and have it to the full" (John 10:10). Jesus is more than enough!
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