Rational Emotions

I just finished watching a movie again that I saw for the first time in theaters - August Rush. While there are some interesting themes and it is sad at times, I returned to the living room to catch the end and I have a confession - I had an emotional response. Yes, Mr. Director of August Rush, you win. I got the tinglies as I watched the end (don't worry, no spoilers here). But it reminded me what I have been studying this week and will preach on tomorrow - emotional responses.

We must be careful not to base our Christian lives on emotional moments. I am sure we all love the warm fuzzies, and the teary eye stories, but we must remember that God is not all about emotional responses. He is an emotional God and we are emotional people, but our spiritual lives cannot and should not be based on these experiences. God came to save us. At some point the Holy Spirit will convict us of sin and we'll be confronted with God's truth. That truth is not based on an emotional response, but rather on faith. We are not saved because we get a warm fuzzy. We are not saved because the preacher told an emotional illustration and walked the aisle. We are saved because the reality of a real God confronted us with real sin and the salvation provided by a real Savior who really rose from the grave. We are to respond with faith - in our minds, hearts and souls.

Now, are all emotional responses bad? By no means! I'm not going to lie, I've cried in prayer meetings praying for those sick, I've teared up watching someone walk the aisle who was in complete rebellion with God and rejoiced with tears over healings. Those are good, but we cannot base our faith on emotional experiences. If we do, that will begin to judge how we live our lives and if we don't have an emotional response, we may start to fake one. Plus, they will get more and more dramatic. When will it stop? Thoughts...