Author Eric Shuster will be providing a series of blog posts summarizing various sections of his upcoming book Where are the Christians? due to be released this spring from Cedar Fort, Inc. We will feature one post each week from now until May 2013. For more information visit www.findyourchristianity.com.
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SECTION 3: WHERE ARE THE CHRISTIANS?—A Categorization
Chapter 11: They’re Vacillating—Living Under Their Potential as Hesitant Christians
Many Christians, those who are not departing or hiding, are instead dithering and vacillating with great faith waiting to be cut loose! There is a large group of Christians out there that have enormous potential who are sitting on the sidelines indecisive about entering the game. Composer Gian Carlo Menotti passionately stated, “Hell begins on that day when God grants us a clear vision of all that we might have achieved, of all the gifts we wasted, of all that we might have done that we did not do.”
The question for all Christians is “what is your personal potential in Christ?” Paul wrote “I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me” (Phil. 4:13). Jesus taught “with God all things are possible” (Matt. 19:26). The eroding state of current spiritual affairs in the United States could be entirely turned around if every Christian rose up and did just that—live their full potential in the Savior.
Before introducing the next Christian type it is important to realize what our potential is as disciples of Christ. The parable of the talents in Matthew 25 states that each of us has been given talents, every man according to his several ability (Matt. 25:15). The servants in the parable who doubled their talents understood the principle of “…For unto whomsoever much is given, of him shall be much required…” (Luke 12:48). The Bible makes it clear that although Christians are given different abilities and responsibilities, each has the opportunity for the same spiritual blessings of eternal life through faith and sacrifice. The potential of each Christian is tremendous, but all too often that potential is unrealized in a spectacular fashion despite having faith sufficient to do so.
This brings us to the third type of Christian—the Hesitant Christian. This is a Christian who routinely operates under his or her potential. The Hesitant Christian has great faith but is not living up to the potential of that faith.
Paul referred to the potential of the Hesitant Christian when he wrote “Now unto him that is able to do exceeding abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that worketh in us… (Eph. 3:20-21, emphasis added). The Hesitant Christian may at times be “weary in well doing” (2 Thess. 3:13) and therefore misses service opportunities presented by the Lord despite having the “several ability.”
In answering the question of “where are the Christians?, a portion of them are hesitating, and as the old adage goes: “he who hesitates is lost”—defined as “a person who spends too much time deliberating about what to do loses the chance to act altogether.” When it comes to faith we must use it or lose it.
We have now been introduced to the first three types of Christians, each of which is lagging behind and not making the difference they are capable of making. Next we will look at those Christians who are stepping up to their potential and carrying much of the load in Christian America.
Go to www.findyourchristianity.com to watch the book trailer, find out what type of Christian you are, and to order the book.
One Response to “Where are the Christians? by Eric Shuster – Chapter 11”
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Interesting subject. Sounds like a fascinating book!