Christian Living
Surely you have heard the term, “Shaken, not stirred.” The terminology has been widely used to refer to personal preference over how an alcoholic beverage is prepared. I do not condone alcoholic drinking and personally believe in full abstinence from anything that has the power to alter our mind or how we think under its influence.
That being said, I believe this term could also be used to describe the condition of a lot of Christians today. I believe many find themselves stirred in their service for God, yet lack a true life shaking experience and relationship with Him.
The term “Stirred” is used numerous times in the Bible to express the ability of man to be moved to a specific call or action based upon immediate stimulus or influence. The term does not describe the underlying convictions of a man, for no man has to be stirred to do something that he already holds fast too. In almost all references in the Bible it is used in conjunction with the enemies of God or those who respond merely based on fleshly desires and outside peer pressure.
“Shaken” on the other hand is used in the Bible to describe the total breaking down of powers or people into complete submission to God. When things are truly shaken by God all that remains is what is pure and holy. Prior to His return even the earth, stars, and heavens will be shaken. This is the true response to anyone or anything that comes into the presence of a Holy God.
1. God’s Shaking Brings Power in Ministry
Act 4:31 After they prayed, the place where they were meeting was shaken. And they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and spoke the word of God boldly.
The birth of the church is a great example of lives that were shaken and not stirred. After seeing the resurrection of Jesus Christ, many of His followers were stirred with enthusiasm and living on a momentary high. However, if they were to change the world a momentary stirring would not suffice; they would have to be shaken to their very core. Gathered together the Spirit of God fell upon them and the place where they gathered and all within were shaken. All that remained were lives that were completely submitted and affected in such a way that they were ready to be His salt and light in a world of darkness.
Many movements within the church today have the ability to stir us. Wonderful music, programs, and functions can entertain us and keep us busy until the cows come home, or Jesus Christ for that matter. In an age where church attendance is steadily declining we have attempted to draw in crowds on merits other than the gospel message. We have developed church growth plans based on society’s polls instead of taking our objectives and mission from God’s divine blueprint found in the Bible. He said “If I be lifted up, I will draw all men unto me.” Maybe the problem with the decline of the present church is not so much the ineffectiveness of God’s ability to draw people in with His Spirit, but our inability to truly lift Him up as the focus of our gatherings.
Our goal is not to launch people into “New Seasons”, “An Age of Prosperity”, or even lead them into their destiny of “Favor.” Our goal is to preach the Gospel of Jesus Christ. If we are not careful, we will create a church body that is only stirred into momentary action, yet fail to possess a true relationship with Christ. If they are only being fed what they desire to hear by pastors who desire to grow at any cost, they will eventually leave for the next big stirring that comes along. The greatest fabric and glue that will hold the church together is simply the message of Jesus Christ, not a worldly substitute.
2. God’s Shaking Brings Freedom
Act 16:26 Suddenly there was such a violent earthquake that the foundations of the prison were shaken. At once all the prison doors flew open, and everybody’s chains came loose.
Many people attend church hoping that the moral support of others will enable them to find freedom from the bondages of sin that grip their lives. Their investment of time and membership will soon leave them frustrated and defeated as they realize that people and programs lack the ability to bring true freedom. Only those who are truly shaken by God’s power can be set free.
3. God’s Shaking produces Righteousness
Heb 12:27 The words “once more” indicate the removing of what can be shaken—that is, created things—so that what cannot be shaken may remain.
The effect on anyone or anything that encounters the presence of God is a shaking. It is a dying of sin and removal of anything that is not pure. God is Holy and no sin or unrighteousness can stand before Him. You can be stirred and still remain in sin, but those who press in and open themselves to God’s righteousness will be empowered to be set free and made righteous. It is an act of grace and a direct result of coming into His presence. It is then, when we are shaken, that we can fulfill His command to, “Be ye Holy for I am Holy.”
Conclusion:
When we as a church get back to prayer and serving God, not out of habit, but in response to His Holy nature, we will once again enjoy the refreshing outpouring of His Spirit upon us. We will revisit and experience the great moves of God upon the hearts of sinners who are compelled to repent and surrender their lives to Him. The greatest drawing and secret to a successful move of God is people who are humbled and seeking Him on the merit of who He is and not what they want Him to be.
Make no doubt about it, God is beginning to do a mighty work in the world even as we speak. He is rising up men and women, boys and girls who are truly seeking His desire; a generation of believers who are not content with being stirred any longer and desire to be shaken by the mighty power of God.
I guess the question is, “What is your preference?” Would you rather yourself shaken by God, or merely stirred in the flesh?
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