"Insane for Christ!" That's what should be on my t-shirt. We're called to be a people set apart for His good pleasure. Since Jesus was accused of being crazy and even demon possessed; we should be willing to be likewise. Now I'm not asking that you go to a church, braid together a whip (takes too long) and then chase those inside outside. While that might actually do some good for some churches, it's not what we need to be doing. Why? Because the church doesn't reside in buildings. The church resides in you and I. We are the church. I've visited a lot of different church buildings and even mingled with the people there. Churches from all around the world have different ideas of what the church is to be. Some are way up there with ritual and pomp and circumstance. Some are so laid back that shorts and t-shirt are optional. In case you missed it there are nudist churches. There are churches that worship on the most convenient of times and those that cater to the masses and what they want. All church buildings are composed of roughly the same material and have similar defined spaces. So much for the church buildings. What about the people inside? Who are they and why do they go there?
"If you would be my disciple forsake everything and follow me." Jesus, circa 34. Did you ever notice that there are 33+ years that don't fall between BC and AD. I digress.... "If your eye offends you, pluck it out and throw it away." "If your hand offends, cut it off and throw it away." You get the point...or do you. "If you even look at a woman (or man) with lust in your mind; you have already committed adultery." "If you want eternal life, leave your father and mother and follow me." Okay, now it's getting clearer. Christianity is to be radical and contrary to the way we have been thinking. Matthew 6:33 states it clearly: "Be perfect as my Father in heaven is perfect." Wow! What is a Christian to do? I suggest the only way to win this battle is to surrender. Surrender to Christ. He's won for all of us. We need only receive His victory.
It matters that we represent Jesus as HE wants us to represent him. Not how we interpret or understand or even rationalize the Gospel. He wants us to worship Him in spirit and in truth. He wants to know that when tough times come we will stand firm in our relationship with him. Ask yourself what you would do if you had he choice to either deny Christ and save the life of your child or if you would stand firm knowing that your child is in Christ? Makes you wonder if you have shared Christ to your children in such a way that they have taken the step to salvation in Him. The world has been watering down the Gospel forever. BUT the world has no business in your relationship with Jesus. When you are asked for an account of why and how you believe; what are you going to say? Are you going to be insane for Jesus (according to the worlds definition) or are you going to roll over and play dead. Well...actually, if you don't stand for Jesus you are spiritually dead. Choose this day who you will follow. Joshua said, "As for me and my house, we will serve the Lord." Choose wisely...
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