"But the Helper, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, he will teach you all things and bring to your remembrance all that I have said to you." ~ John 14:26

I heard a sermon on the radio where the pastor discussed how many Christians seem uninspired. He noted that most Christians appear more passionate about worldly matters than their faith. While it's true that some genuine Christians may seem uninspired, this often stems from disappointment with the institutional church or a lack of personal growth in their faith.

We must also consider whether this lack of inspiration indicates that some individuals may not be true Christians. They might lack the Holy Spirit that inspires genuine faith. Instead of addressing this issue, the institutional church often caters to such individuals.

The church should focus on fostering inspiration rather than just offering encouragement. Encouragement provides support and confidence in specific, often immediate contexts, whereas inspiration is a deeper, transformative motivation provided by the Holy Spirit.

The church should not focus on being seeker-friendly, marketing itself, or merely inviting people to attend. It should avoid manipulative tactics such as asking for membership, providing comfortable amenities, or seeking to entertain. The church should not need to persuade people to read the Bible, serve, or go on missions, nor should it treat congregants like children by directing when to sit or stand, or convincing them to memorize scripture and join small groups.

All this may sound controversial, and the church may not see my point. I believe the church lacks faith that people, led by the Holy Spirit, will be inspired to attend and serve on their own. This fear might come from concerns about empty pews, dwindling bank accounts, or well-intentioned efforts to reassure themselves that God is at work. However, I have proof that what I am saying is true.

Consider the book of Acts, where the early church began. Once the Holy Spirit took hold of these people, they eagerly fellowshiped, joined communities, served, and even sold all they had for the treasure they found in Jesus Christ. The people did not need an invitation to come to church and fellowship; God Himself added to the church by His Spirit.

The church in Acts did not need to be manipulated into giving, serving, reading God's Word, or becoming members; they did so gladly.

When something is genuine, it naturally inspires selflessness. Fathers are committed to raising their children and nurturing their marriage. A dedicated police officer serves and protects without reservation. Soldiers choose to enlist rather than be drafted. Similarly, a committed Christian offers themselves wholly to God.

Many people come to church with the wrong motives: some view it as a new fad, others hope the church will solve all their problems, and some expect the church to serve them rather than the other way around. Additionally, some come simply for entertainment or socializing.

The Bible warns that the enemy may try to infiltrate the church. What’s clear is that none of these individuals are coming because the Holy Spirit has inspired them. To address this, we must avoid catering to or enabling such attendees, which creates a false sense of belonging.

The church is the body of Christ, and true membership in God's church is defined by the presence of the Holy Spirit; without it, one does not genuinely belong. The Holy Spirit inspires believers to follow God's will and guides their actions. Believers must learn and grow, and the church's role is to support and encourage them to follow the Holy Spirit's guidance. Would you prefer the church make you believe you belong or reveal the truth?

The Fine Line

True believers will be inspired to attend church, give, serve, and immerse themselves in His word. Born-again Christians have the Holy Spirit within them, and the Spirit naturally loves and pursues God. When Christians lack inspiration, it's often because they have quenched the Spirit and lost sight of Christ. They need encouragement to refocus their eyes on God and live by the Spirit's inspiration within them. It’s a fine line because we don’t want to be their source of inspiration; we want to encourage what is already in them. Consistent encouragement will eventually reveal whether the Spirit is truly within them.