Are you an in depth Christian or just in name only. Christ is looking for those who worship in Spirit and Truth, not just words and lip service.

1. A Mile Wide And a 1/2 Inch Deep....
Psalm 36:6
Thy righteousness is like the great mountains; thy judgments are a great
deep: O Lord, thou preservest man and beast.
Early in our Christian walk we will have to admit we were not really very deep into
the truth of God's Word and we honestly would have classified ourselves as a
mile wide but only a 1/2 inch deep believer.
By this we mean we had a pretty good "general knowledge" of God (that was
spread way out on many topics) but when probed and tested at the surface we
were not very "deep" yet into the knowledge of His truth (though we desired it.) It
may be common for new believers to have a shallowness of knowledge because
of lack of experience but sadly we see most all claimed believers who have been
in the modern religious system for many years still have this issue of spiritually
being a mile wide and 1/2 inch deep. We still have along way to go but we have
been concentrating on going deeper into the bible and expanding our knowledge
to push the limits of those depths that once limited us. If we plan to discern the
world around us and our lives daily; we need to have a deep well and reserve of
the Word or we will come up quite empty in the end and even perhaps
very deceived. When we witness to others we will admit that is the issue we see
from people in the pews all the way to the modern pastor in the pulpit. This is a
major flaw of man made denominational religion today. It is dumbing down of the
true faith by NOT being a biblical New Testament church that is there to
be training up mighty saints for the ministry (Eph 4) but instead is putting on
shallow entertainment and weekly shows that really just please people's
flesh. They have in turn seemingly stopped and rested on a surface knowledge of
the Lord without building further into or on his Word. To more of an extent they
have avoided going far "into" the vast treasure of His Word that He gave us to
feast upon. There can be no excuse for this at all.
Examples of this spiritual shallowness would be:
*Many will say the bible is God's Word but after years of their faith practices can
they even go to the Word and show others why it is His Word and what we are to
live by based on that Word?
John 1:14 And the Word was made flesh, and dwelt among us. (Jesus is the
Word)
Matt 4:4 Jesus said "man doesn't live by bread alone but by every word the
comes out of the mouth of God"

2. *Many so called believers know "about" holiness but they are themselves totally
involved in the carnal offerings of the fallen world for fun. Have they gleaned
deeper truth from the bible to see if (God's glory) they should be involved in such
things for or should they reject them and walk in holiness before the Lord?
1 John 2;15Love not the world, neither the things that are in the world. If any man
love the world, the love of the Father is not in him.
1 Peter 1:15 be holy in all your conduct
*Many will attend weekly religious services trying to please God but after sitting in
a pews for many years can they show others in the bible where the Word speaks
of the bodies true operation; its God given function and purpose?
1 Cor 14:26 when ye come together, every one of you hath a psalm, hath a
doctrine, hath a tongue, hath a revelation, hath an interpretation. Let all things be
done unto edifying.
Eph 4 For the perfecting of the saints, for the work of the ministry, for the edifying
of the body of Christ:
This is a tragic truth for many and as you can see they have a broad, very basic
understanding of bible topics but they are oh so shallow in that they have no
means to explain or any desire really to go deep to apply or test what they
believe, practice and claim as faith from God's Word. Like an office building that
is 500 feet wide, vast in its size but the foundation was only 2 feet down. It will
not last the test of time or the harsh elements and believers are no different are
they?
So how do we change ourselves from being very wide and also very shallow as
well spiritually?
First to be very honest many people are false converts so you must examine
yourself to see if you are even in the faith as the Apostle Paul instructs us to do.
(See 2 cor 13:5)
Then, Jesus said "we must worship in spirit and truth". John 4:24
This means you need to make sure your own life and body (if you have one) is
following His truth in all of its fullness? If you're not walking in the truth daily
then don't expect to be growing your depth in the Word either. You can test your
denominational faith practices HERE against God's Word.

3. Jesus said that "if we love Him we will keep His commands". John 14:15
This is a protection for us as it takes two very important elements for it to happen.
1) We have to study the Word to know just what are His commands are as they
go far beyond Exodus 20 and the 10 commandments that He gave Moses.
2) We have to then "understand them completely and in context" so we can apply
them to our lives for His glory.
Many today are performing religious rituals but they are NOT going deep into
God's truth and they are deceived because of their swallow-ness.
If only we would take what His Holy Word says to heart and just practice it in full
obedience.
Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be
ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth. 2 Tim 2:15
God's Word is full of instructions for us to go deeper and how to do it. But if your
not feeding on it in a regular practice then applying it; how can you even know
what are His commands and teachings?
Here are some verses that will help us see our real need:
Casting down imaginations, and every high thing that exalteth itself against the
knowledge of God, and bringing into captivity every thought to the obedience of
Christ
1 Cor 10:5
Do you have every thought under control for the Lord? Do this and your depth
will magnify.
He is like a man whichbuilt an house, and digged deep, and laid the foundation
on a rock: and when the flood arose, the stream beat vehemently upon that
house, and could not shake it: for it was founded upon a rock. Luke 6:48
Is your spiritual house built on the truth of His Word or weekly man made
religion? Purge out the error and false traditions, seek His ways and deep you
will be.
Always be ready to give a answer for the hope that lies within you. 1 Peter 3:15
Are you on the pace of studying and being able to give answers for the hope in
you regarding your faith? If not, when do you think that will happen and is it even
your desire for your God?

4. One of our favorite verses is Romans 12:2 where it tells us "to not be conformed
to this present world". I think it helps us in our depth ( it did for us ) as when you
start rejecting the things of this current fallen world that sweep us away in our
thoughts, time, habits, interests and world view attitudes (tv, media, movies,
sports, fashions, trends etc) we can now meditate more completely and wholly on
His Word and your depth cannot help but grow; as will your usefulness to the
Lord as well.
Psalm 119:15
I will meditate in thy precepts, and have respect unto thy ways.
How is your depth in the Lord today? Are you very wide from practicing
religion but you are you a very swallow believer in your biblical knowledge and
application of His eternal truths? How can you hope to discern for godly truth
unless you have enough of His truth in you to know the difference? Since we will
NEVER EVER have enough truth; you better get started today, amen?
We would like to encourage you to strive to go deep and focus on His ways and
Word daily. In that you will never go astray as you serve Christ and you store up
treasure in heaven to come!
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narrowroad8711@hotmail.com