I used to attend a Messianic Jewish church led by an undeniably Spirit-led rabbi. At one Shabbat service, the rabbi made a statement that rattled me for a moment. I don’t remember his exact words but he told the congregation, emphatically, that anyone who had been attending regularly for a year or more and had not been seriously seeking Jesus, not to come back. His reason–they were holding everyone else back. Have you heard it said that a chain is only as strong as its weakest link? That was the rabbi’s point and it was valid, we needed to eliminate the weak links, not the baby Christians but the stagnant ones–those who only sit in the pew to feel as though they have completed their weekly effort for Father. I had never heard a preacher tell someone to not come back but after considering his intention I understood and respected him for it. He wanted to move his congregation to a higher level of living like Jesus but there were a few whose hearts weren’t in it and Jesus knew that. This was not the reason I left, Father called me back to my local church to help through a transition.

Rabbi wasn’t the first one to say jump in or get out. However, he was a bit easier on the slackers than the Hebrews were. In 2Chronicles 15, Asa gets serious as well. “They entered into a covenant to seek ADONAI, the God of their ancestors, with all their heart and with all their being; (they also agreed) that whoever refused to seek ADONAI the God of Isra’el should be put to death, whether small or great, man or woman. They swore this to ADONAI in a loud voice, with shouting and blowing of trumpets and shofars. All Y’hudah was full of joy at this oath; for they had sworn with all their heart and sought him with all their will; and they found him, and ADONAI gave them rest all around.” (vs 12-15)

Are you seeking the Lord with all your heart? Or are you one of the slackers standing in someone else’s way? You are not the only person affected by your walk. You are being watched and some who follow you will stop where you stop. Are you good with that thought? Is it well with your soul? Or do you need a spiritual fire lit under your behind?