Familiarity

“Concerning this salvation, the prophets, who spoke of the grace that was to come to you, searched intently and with the greatest care, trying to find out the time and circumstances to which the Spirit of Christ in them was pointing when he predicted the sufferings of the Messiah and the glories that would follow.  It was revealed to them that they were not serving themselves but you, when they spoke of the things that have now been told you by those who have preached the gospel to you by the Holy Spirit sent from heaven. Even angels long to look into these things.

Therefore, with minds that are alert and fully sober, set your hope on the grace to be brought to you when Jesus Christ is revealed at his coming. As obedient children, do not conform to the evil desires you had when you lived in ignorance. But just as he who called you is holy, so be holy in all you do; for it is written: “’Be holy, because I am holy.’” (I Peter 1:10-16 NIV)

The vast majority of students with whom I’ve worked over the years have been made up of those who have grown up in the church and made commitments of faith long before they arrived on campus.  One thing that is fairly consistent about many of them is they can be fairly ho-hum about their faith.  It may be Good News, but it seems like old news.  They’ve heard about Jesus since they were toddlers and heard the familiar Bible stories over and over.  Like a car bought brand new, after a year or so the excitement wears off and it’s just a way to get around. 

It’s difficult to stay excited about something old and familiar, whether it be a car, a relationship, or faith.  I decided to follow Jesus when I was 19-years-old and I can remember vividly the excitement of that time.  But I have to admit, as the years have gone by, there have been times where my walk with the Lord has been more out of routine than love.  I have gone through the motions because it is so familiar.

It seems to be the way of things in this life.  While familiarity may not always breed contempt, it definitely breeds apathy.  Anything—a marriage, a job—with an accumulation of years is prone to create apathy. And this certainly includes our walk with Jesus.

Peter tells us the Old Testament prophets longed to know the mysteries of salvation.  Even the angels, he says, would like to know more about it. So great is the salvation we ourselves have received!  Yet, it now has become so familiar to many of us that we easily can just be going through the motions. So what to do?  

Peter gives us this counsel: “With minds that are alert and fully sober, set your hope on the grace to be brought to you when Jesus Christ is revealed at his coming.”  He goes on to say to live our lives in obedience to the Lord.  In this we have our answer: Be intentional and be obedient. Be intentional about your appreciation for what a great gift you have been given and be obedient to the One who gives it.  

The greatest clarity and excitement comes when everything is new.  It gets harder after that.  But what can help us is to continually remember how great and marvelous salvation truly is.  We were destined for eternal death, but were granted eternal life because of Jesus’ sacrifice on our behalf.  There is nothing ho-hum about that!  And we can help keep it that way by living in ways pleasing to the Lord.  For by pleasing Him, we will continue to fuel our passion for Him.

© Jim Musser 2014