Tags
Authority, Breaking up fallow ground, Christian Character, christian growth, Discipleship, Great Commission, Hosea, Obedience, Plow, worldliness
Sow for yourselves righteousness; reap in mercy; break up your fallow ground, for it is time to seek the LORD, till He comes and rains righteousness on you. (Hosea 10:12, emphasis added)
The Western Church, generally speaking, has built herself on fallow ground and the glories of the revivals of the past and the history surrounding its particular denomination, or movement as some like to refer to their history. According to the Biblical example seen throughout Scripture there is always a remnant holding to the truth, willing to embrace the plow, willing to take the risk to grow and become what God desires them to be. My hope in presenting The Plow is that you want to open yourself up to the pain of the plow and fulfill the mandate of the great Commission – to be, and to make disciples and to teach with all boldness under the authority of Jesus Christ. To be a Revolutionary is to embrace the plow. The Plow is meant to be a manifesto for those so moved to act and to become slaves of the Master in disciple making and teaching.
What are some examples of the fallowed life of the Western Church? One is the seeker-friendly and church growth movements which have become commonplace in the West. The emphasis on the growth of attendees that come to your church (usually by stealing people from other churches and/or watering down the Word of God) instead of the individual growth of the people is the problem of fallow ground. There is no discipleship in these churches even though if you ask their staff or the people that attend they will tell you they are disciple making. A problem with fallow ground is that it becomes satisfied with growing weeds. In some cases the teaching may be fantastic, which is half the command, but there still is no discipleship. Discipleship happens only on plowed ground.
The other example of modern fallowed ground Churchianity is the feel good Christianity which is taught because it is sought after by the Western consumer-driven life. This is seen in different teachings that come out of the fallowed ground mindset. Prosperity, health, and wealth are presented as the gospel for consumers which line up and purchase the easy life the Western world believes in more than the God they profess. You often hear people talk about God as the Santa Clause who caters to their every need. What can Jesus do for you? What can God do for your situation? These are all too popular sermon topics instead of teaching the solid food of the Word of God. Even so-called Christian Colleges seek to present a feel good environment where students engage in worldly activities with other Christians. They truly believe sin done in a safe and Christian location will be blessed of God. This life has come to be considered normal, but we know no growth happens on fallowed ground. The pain of the plow is contrary to the ease of the world.
Do not love the world or the things in the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him. (1 John 2:15)
Adulterers and adulteresses! Do you not know that friendship with the world is enmity with God? Whoever therefore wants to be a friend of the world makes himself an enemy of God. (James 4:4)
Now godliness with contentment is great gain. (1 Timothy 6:6)
