When The Glory Fades

"Do not be deceived, God is not mocked; for whatever a man sows, that he will also reap. For he who sows to his flesh will of the flesh reap corruption, but he who sows to the Spirit will of the Spirit reap everlasting life. And let us not grow weary while doing good, for in due season we shall reap if we do not lose heart. Therefore, as we have opportunity, let us do good to all, especially to those who are of the household of faith." - Galatians 6:7-10

Some of you reading these posts may be aware that I was once on the staff of Promise Keepers (PK), a national men's ministry in the mid '90s. I served as the State Manager for Alabama and Mississippi. The point of my bringing that up is this. While in that position, I had the opportunity to meet with and talk to many, many people. The "prime directive" of that ministry was to stir the hearts of all Christian men to fulfill their responsibilities as husbands, fathers, and Brothers in Christ. Essentially, to reflect Jesus and not their culture. You can probably detect that thread toward Christian men and women in my writings today.

A big part of the PK ministry was holding stadium events - where tens of thousands of men would gather to hear sermons - sing songs of praise - to render their hearts to God. Typically. hundreds of men would pray to receive Christ or rededicate themselves as Jesus followers.

When I would return to Alabama, I would speak at churches and men's groups. More than once, I would meet a wife of one of the men who attended a conference. The conversation would go something like this. (wife) "I just love Promise Keepers  and what you stand for. My husband went to the conference in Atlanta. When he returned he was like a new man. But then after about 2 or 3 weeks, he was the same as before he left." I didn't have much of a response to that. But I suspected that I knew what had happened. I was reminded of Moses.

"Now it was so, when Moses came down from Mount Sinai (and the two tablets of the Testimony were in Moses’ hand when he came down from the mountain), that Moses did not know that the skin of his face shone while he talked with Him. So when Aaron and all the children of Israel saw Moses, behold, the skin of his face shone, and they were afraid to come near him. Then Moses called to them, and Aaron and all the rulers of the congregation returned to him; and Moses talked with them." - Exodus 34:29-31

Because Moses was in the presence of God - his face glowed - but eventually the "glory faded". That was the case with those men. Their time at the conference had a spiritual element experience certainly - but for many it was more emotion than spirit. Like attending a sports event. The excitement of the crowd was almost intoxicating. The men could agree, in principle, with everything they heard and experienced. They knew it was right - but the spiritual truth did not take root. There was no heart change. Like the parable of the seed. 

"And it happened, as he sowed, that some seed fell by the wayside; and the birds of the air came and devoured it. Some fell on stony ground, where it did not have much earth; and immediately it sprang up because it had no depth of earth. But when the sun was up it was scorched, and because it had no root it withered away." - Mark 4:4-6

So it was like for those husbands - the commitment had not reached the heart and it withered away. I called it the Promise Keeper pill. "Take one my friend and your spirituality will be good for another year!" Or not! The truth was that PK preached the message to them, but it was the responsibility  of the the local church and a sincere intent on the part of each man that would sustain that change. And the same goes for each of us.

"I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that you present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable to God, which is your reasonable service. And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God." - Romans 12:1-2

Think about it – Pray about it – Believe it – Walk in it. Let your light shine and give God the glory. 

By Faith Alone By His Grace Alone And For His Glory Alone