The Secret to Deepen Your Christian Faith (And It’s Not What You Think)
It's not reading your bible and praying. Quiet times alone won't deepen your faith. They are the problem if that's all you do.
I'm a pastor by calling and have met many encyclopedia Christians.
They are too many to count. Overloaded with bible knowledge but lacking in Christian virtues.
Why?
They mistake knowledge for depth.
Knowing facts about the bible isn't the goal. The devil knows more facts about the bible than you, but that doesn't make him a Christian, let alone a deep Christian.
The secret is 'apply the bible'.
It's the application of the bible that makes for deep Christians. If you were starving on the streets of Mutare, who would you rather meet?
A Christian who knows they should help you but does nothing or
A Christian who buys you a sandwich.
Deep Christians are the ones that wade out into deep water of sacrificial application. Where they won't survive without God's help. - Andy Stanley.
If you want to be a deep Christian, start doing the following:
Foster a child
Give more than 10% to your church or charity
Forgive your parents
Volunteer your time and skills
Help others expecting nothing in return
Stop gossiping about your boss.
These are the kinds of things that make for deep Christians.
Practice applying the bible, and you are 100% guaranteed to deepen your Christian faith.
Do not merely listen to the word, and so deceive yourselves. Do what it says. - James 1:22 (NIV)