Couch potato Christian?

Too harsh? Don’t get angry … then again if you feel insulted - why? Regardless, how would you define these words? Mine would be: attends church, at least the 2 big church holidays - Christmas and, Easter. Always put in an offering whenever attending church. And that’s about all. And when asked, would be slightly astonished that there should be more. A couch potato Christian probably defines 90% of most people who attend churches… if the analysis of only 10% of these attending church get involved is true. Look around you - how many people in the pews around you are engaged in the life of the church. What about you?

I'm not talking about volunteerism though that may be an example if you've never volunteered in your church... for anything. Are you partially concerned that someone will ask you to volunteer? If you aren't involved in your church, why do you go through the motions of attending - occasionally? What difference does it make? Exactly what does being 'affiliated' with a particular church mean to and for you?

There is no scripture you can point to that says that once you are saved you don't need to do anything. You've made it. Is that all accepting Jesus as your Lord means for you? And as far as scripture is concerned, how does this scripture affect you?

   "So then, my dear ones, just as you have always obeyed [my instructions with

    enthusiasm], not only in my presence, but now much more in my absence,

    continue to work out your salvation [that is, cultivate it, bring it to full effect,

    actively pursue spiritual maturity] with awe-inspired fear and trembling [using

    serious caution and critical self-evaluation to avoid anything that might offend

    God or discredit the name of Christ]. For it is [not your strength, but it is] God

    who is effectively at work in you, both to will and to work [that is,

    strengthening, energizing, and creating in you the longing and the ability to

    fulfill your purpose] for His good pleasure." [Philippians 2:12-13, AMP]

So... my understanding is that while the decision and act of making Jesus as your Lord is a one and done, it doesn't stop there. I like to think that while the Father always accepts us 'just as we are', He has no intention of leaving us there. So, why should we? We have been blessed with every spiritual blessings [Ephesians 1:3] but these blessings are not meant to be put on the shelf or on the cocktail table to display for others. We are given these because the Father wants us to touch those around us - He has made us His workmanship to walk in good works that He has prepared for us [Ephesians 2 8-10]

Such a wonderful, challenging, exciting, fruitful, fulfilling life He has planned for us. But that does not define 'couch potato Christian' - this is the abundant life that scripture talks about that is ours... if we so choose. God did not save you and call you into the church, His body, to be a pew sitter. He has called and is equipping you to join hands with those in your church to be His hands and feet and voice to thr hurting world that you live in.