Does "Depth" Matter? How Deep Is Your Walk?

[Ron]

I heard an American preacher say once that the difference between Canada & the USA is that in Canada very few people consider themselves "Christians".

While we are desperately trying to rectify this, on the other hand he said that in the States a large majority either consider themselves as believing in God or
being ""Christians!""

Now I know we could beat to death the definition of "Christian" and of being "Apostolic" what I want to know is this, "does depth matter?"

Let's say that everyone who says he is a "Christian" is. I don't believe that, but for the sake of discussion it is.
Now with there being such divergent views, walks, beliefs, consecrations, etc,
wouldn't it be safe to say that there are depths to ones walk with God?

Wouldn't that be a Necessary thing to have (depth) to be pleasing to God, and to be effective for God?

What does having "depth" to your walk mean?
What is "shallowness?"

Which would you prefer?
Does having "depth" in your walk come with a price tag?
Would you want, or be willing to pay it?

How would describe your walk (deep/shallow)?

For the record, I cdould use more depth myself.

[berkeley]

It is very shallow at the moment. I am no longer willing to pay that price.

[mfblume]

Originally Posted by Berkeley

It is very shallow at the moment. I am no longer willing to pay that price.

Jesus paid it all. Seriously. Legalism can quickly make one think THEY have to pay the price, when it is already paid.

All we have to do is learn who we ALREADY ARE and HAVE BEEN since salvation, and stop trying to improve ourselves, but le the Spirit within us FLOW OUT by simply praying ofr it and expecting it in turn.

This one could develop into a really good discussion if we all stay focused on the topic.

As for me, it seems my depth varies somewhat from season to season in my walk, and even from day to day sometimes (yesterday and today were good examples of that phenomenon, and thank you for making me THINK enough to recognize that).

I have to say YES, depth matters. The more deeply one is hidden in Christ, the more of Jesus others will will see before they see US. The more deeply one is walking with the Lord, the less chance the storms of life will have to blow us off course.

Okay, I'm going to quit that preaching and try to think of something to say that's just a reply to the questions.

Hmmm. Thought a while. Reread the opening post. Couldn't do it.

Back to sounding like I'm preaching: we know the word of God says that deep calls unto deep at the noise of His waterspouts; the deeper we go in Him, the deeper His Spirit calls because of the increasing flow of the Holy Ghost that washes over us at greater and greater depths. The more we read and meditate on His word, the more we stay in prayer within, the more we stay focused on Jesus Christ, and the less we think of ourselves first, the more we will be what we're called to be in Him. When we allow ourselves to be more shallow, we have more of a tendency to walk in traditions and cliche's, I believe, and at those times, we're less spiritual, less led by the Holy Ghost, and less likely to bear fruit; so it would seem that depth does indeed matter a LOT.

Depth necessary in pleasing God? Hmmmm. Perhaps not; but it would seem to me that God could be disappointed in me (and often IS, I think) when I walk in less depth than what is available to me, and when I fail to keep a good remembrance of how much safer and better things go for me when I stay deeper....

Shallowness? I see it often, or so I'm given to saying. I'm currently fairly disappointed in myself for not having been more deeply hidden in Christ during the past day. I can say that Apostolic ministry makes less mistakes when we're walking deeper. So what is shallowness? My short, on the spot definition right now: too much me and not enough Him. That's shallowness, and it can cause a lot of trouble.

I prefer depth. Yes, it comes with a price. Yes, I'm willing to pay it; but it's usually only after running aground in the shallows that I ever see the need to push back out into the deep, and even then, I don't think I've ever pushed out as far as I COULD have....

I hope there are others who can post better on this subject. I think I'd like to spend a few weeks on this thread and pray with others who also desire greater depth.

See y'all here!

[Pressing-On]

Originally Posted by bridges

As for me, it seems my depth varies somewhat from season to season in my walk, and even from day to day sometimes.

I totally agree with this. Everything/everyday by faith.

[Truly Blessed]

I believe depth does matter. It's called maturity, which comes through living a disciplined Christian life. However, this relates to effectiveness, not to one's salvation. The ground which the seed is planted in may produce 30, 60, or 100 fold, but nonetheless, it's still called good ground. This is why we are told not to compare ourselves among ourselves. Instead we are simply to lovingly supply the support others need to live out their faith.

Even the mature have a fluctuating state. Thankfully this doesn't affect our standing with God. There are days when I am more disciplined than others. On disciplined days I don't post on AFF!

[CC1]

Originally Posted by Truly Blessed

I believe depth does matter. It's called maturity, which comes through living a disciplined Christian life. However, this relates to effectiveness, not to one's salvation. The ground which the seed is planted in may produce 30, 60, or 100 fold, but nonetheless, it's still called good ground. This is why we are told not to compare ourselves among ourselves. Instead we are simply to lovingly supply the support others need to live out their faith.

Even the mature have a fluctuating state. Thankfully this doesn't affect our standing with God. There are days when I am more disciplined than others. On disciplined days I don't post on AFF!

Good post.

[Michael The Disciple]

Originally Posted by Truly Blessed

I believe depth does matter. It's called maturity, which comes through living a disciplined Christian life. However, this relates to effectiveness, not to one's salvation. The ground which the seed is planted in may produce 30, 60, or 100 fold, but nonetheless, it's still called good ground. This is why we are told not to compare ourselves among ourselves. Instead we are simply to lovingly supply the support others need to live out their faith.

Even the mature have a fluctuating state. Thankfully this doesn't affect our standing with God. There are days when I am more disciplined than others. On disciplined days I don't post on AFF!

Depth is also known as abiding in Christ. The true Christian is to "abide in him".

5: I am the vine, ye are the branches: He that abideth in me, and I in him, the same bringeth forth much fruit: for without me ye can do nothing.
6: If a man abide not in me, he is cast forth as a branch, and is withered; and men gather them, and cast them into the fire, and they are burned. John 15:5-6

It hardly seems like it is not a matter of salvation.

[RevDWW]

Actually the branches of a vine have no depth in and of themselves, their depth comes from the root.


If Jesus is the root then love is the fruit............

[Truly Blessed]

Originally Posted by Michael The Disciple

Depth is also known as abiding in Christ. The true Christian is to "abide in him".

5: I am the vine, ye are the branches: He that abideth in me, and I in him, the same bringeth forth much fruit: for without me ye can do nothing.
6: If a man abide not in me, he is cast forth as a branch, and is withered; and men gather them, and cast them into the fire, and they are burned. John 15:5-6

It hardly seems like it is not a matter of salvation.

Sorry, but I think we're talking a different analogy here. No one is going to be lost because they're immature in their walk with God. In the original analogy of planting a seed, we're talking about the Word taking root in someone's heart, but some ground being more fruitful. Note that Jesus refers to the ground being good ground whether it was producing 30, 60, or 100 fold.

"But he that received seed into the good ground is he that heareth the word, and understandeth it; which also beareth fruit, and bringeth forth, some an hundredfold, some sixty, some thirty." (Mt.13:23)