Refuging
Pastor Cook shared this staggering statistic recently in one of his sermons: Of those who claim to be born-again Christians, only 6% of those people are genuinely born again. Astounding. My head spun as the words entered my ears and registered in my brain. The seemingly small number of truly converted Christians was shocking at first, yet if we take a moment to reflect, we can’t help but conclude that this matches something of the teachings of Jesus.
Sadly, this number shouldn’t surprise us. Jesus taught in his sermon on the mount, “Not everyone who says to me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter the kingdom of heaven, but the one who does the will of my Father who is in heaven. On that day, many will say to me, ‘Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in your name, and cast out demons in your name, and do many mighty works in your name?’ And then will I declare to them, ‘I never knew you; depart from me, you workers of lawlessness.'” – Matthew 7:21-23
How can we keep from becoming a part of this staggering statistic? How can we endure? By taking refuge in the Lord and keep refuging! Is ‘Refuging’ a word? I honestly didn’t know. I don’t recall hearing it, so I had to look it up. To my delight, I found it in the dictionary, but was slightly disappointed I didn’t get to coin a new word. Refuging is presently and continuously taking refuge.
Are you currently taking refuge in Jesus? Many of the 94% who think they are Christians but are not truly born again are not truly taking refuge in him, but rather something Jesus adjacent. Maybe they said a sinner’s prayer. Perhaps they’ve even been baptized. Undoubtedly, a significant number of people have remarkable church attendance. Yet their trust is in these things and not in Christ alone.
We cannot take refuge in past decisions or our good works like those in Matthew 7, who claimed, “We did miracles, we cast out demons, we did phenomenal ministry in your name!” They find refuge in good deeds but know nothing of abiding in Jesus and him alone. Christ alone is the refuge to which we must cling. As Charles Spurgeon said, “We live by clinging to Jesus.” It is in Jesus alone and presently trusting him while eschewing all other false places of refuge. Are you currently refuging in Jesus?
A second danger that I see in a Jesus-adjacent culture is that many folks are not relocating to Jesus because they already have what they want from Jesus. They live as if Jesus is someone to be used, not someone they have trusted and treasured.
There is a temptation to treat Jesus like that streaming subscription service where you get the first week for free, but when payment is due, you drop the subscription. Too many people view God only as a benevolent genie in the sky who dispenses wishes on command. This temptation to view God this way is not unique to our day. Jesus dealt with it during his ministry.
In John 6, we read that Jesus had just fed the multitudes – 5,000 men, perhaps upwards of 15,000-20,000 total people, with only five loaves and a couple of fish from a young boy’s lunch. The people want more bread. “Feed us again, and we’ll believe in you.”, the crowds taunt. Jesus calls out their inauthenticity, “You only want the food.”
Jesus offered them himself. It wasn’t good enough for them. They deserted him. John said they no longer walked with him. They used him for what they could, and then it was time to move on. Too many want the gifts of God but not the God of the gifts. Regardless of the health and wealth charlatans teach, God will not be used as some trinket.
Thankfully, there is the 6%. Folks like Peter, who responded to the Lord’s question if the disciples also wanted to leave, replied, “Lord, to whom shall we go? You have the words of eternal life, and we have believed, and have come to know, that you are the Holy One of God” (John 6:68-70). Peter is clinging! He is refuging and declares that Jesus alone has the words of eternal life. There is no other refuge.
Some feel that taking refuge in God should exempt them from the storms of life. You may hear them say something akin to, “I tried God, and things only got worse.” The whole of Scripture should quickly disavow any such notions. Life in a Genesis 3 world throws us punches and keeps punching. We are under constant assault from the world, the flesh, and the devil. These storms have a way of testing our faith. Will our faith prove genuine, or will we abandon it in the moment of trial? Storms do have their benefits and the ability to reveal our hearts. Willem VanGemeren reminds us in his commentary on the Psalms that “faith is not faith unless it has been tried like silver and gold.”
As the winds and waves of life beat against us, we must keep refuging in the Lord. When you follow the Lord and make him your refuge, prepare yourself for the storms. Professional Boxer Mike Tyson once said, “Everyone has a plan until they get punched in the mouth.” Our plan should be to lean even more into the God of our refuge and strength when the onslaught of suffering and trials bombards us. The one in whom we have sought refuge is faithful. He is secure and steady. He will not fail us. Therefore, take refuge in the Lord and keep refuging in him.
The author of Hebrews puts it this way in his exhortation to endure, “let us hold fast to our confession for he who promised is faithful” (Hebrews 10:23). Brothers and sisters, persist in your faith, for the one who endures to the end will be saved.
Run your race with endurance and the eager expectation that you will see him face-to-face when he returns or calls you home. He is faithful. He never breaks a promise. He is true. He is steady and immovable. His character and record of past fidelity to his promises warrant your present and ongoing refuging in him.
Blessed are all who take refuge in him and continue taking refuge in him alone.
–Gabriel Hinerman
Gabriel serves as our Pastor of Discipleship and Communications. He teaches in IC5 BFG and is the husband to Rebekah and the daddy to three beautiful girls.
