What is missing in today's church!

I can hear all the comments you are thinking. Brother power is missing, or holiness, or commitment, or _____________, and on all of those levels you are correct. However, may I interject that perhaps the one thing that is preventing those things is as simple as 1 thing? I have been studying the book of Proverbs and want to share something that I feel is missing not only in the church but in society as a whole. Proverbs 13 starts with the idea that a wise son (child) accepts discipline, but a scoffer does not learn from his errors. 

The first thing that is missing in all areas of society is discipline, not sit in the corner and think about what you have done, but the ability to control one's self and live according to a moral code. As a believer I should DESIRE God's Spirit to teach me through His word, correct when necessary, bless when appropriate, and teach me how to Walk as His child, not after my own flesh. If each believer found this place where we aren't living for ourselves, but living IN Him, how different would the world, the home, our government, and YES even the church be? I wish I could say I walk in this daily, but I can say I am learning to listen and grow, and He is ever ready to teach.

Secondly verse 20 tells us to keep company with others who are walking after wisdom. We should seek others who walk WITH God and have that testimony so we can grow and learn. Unfortunately the world at large glorifies and holds up people who revel in their lack of discipline and brag about being born this way, and I have heard some even say, "God knows I'll sin a little each day", rather than I want to know Him. Paul said "that I may know Him, and the power of His resurrection and the fellowship of His sufferings, being conformed to His death;" Philippians 3:10. Notice he doesn't say that I may know about Him, or have some distant idea about who He is, but that I might KNOW HIM! This should be my goal, and the goal of the people I choose to surround myself with as friends. 

Thirdly, verse 24 lets me know that even when God is correcting me, and allowing me to walk through deserts, and valleys, its not to destroy but to help me grow. He desires to teach and give us EVERY opportunity to grow, and lets be honest, trials and valleys grow us more than sunshine and roses. :)So allow those opportunities to help you mature and become ALL God desires you to become, so you can be a light and a blessing to another person. 

Grace and peace be multiplied to you!!!
Eric