photo credit: shooting paradise (creative commons)
“You and I can choose to continue with business as usual in the Christian life and in the church as a whole, enjoying success based on the standards defined by the culture around us. Or we can take an honest look at the Jesus of the Bible and dare to ask what the consequences might be if we really believed him and really obeyed him.” – David Platt
What do you think when you read that?
I have been reading the book Radical: Taking Back Your Faith from the American Dream
But…
God is telling me I better get prepared, because it’s too late to turn back now.
Do you ever find yourself living a comfortable Christian life? You know what I mean. You go to work. Come home. Have dinner with the family. Donate to the homeless shelter once a month. Go to church on Sunday. Laugh with your Life Group on Wednesdays. Go to work. Come home. Life is grand. I know I certainly do. I get comfortable. We all do.
But Platt says that the true message of Christianity is to abandon ourselves. Really? Is that in the Bible?
Sure is..
Jesus said it in Mark 8:34-35. “If any of you wants to be my follower, you must turn from your selfish ways, take up your cross, and follow me. If you try to hang on to your life, you will lose it. But if you give up your life for my sake and for the sake of the Good News, you will save it.” NLT
Ok – so let me get this straight.
- If I want to follow Jesus I have to turn from my selfish ways.
- Take up my cross.
- Stop trying to hang onto my life.
- Give up my life for the sake of the Good News.
- Then my life will be saved?
“Plainly put, a relationship with Jesus requires total, superior, and exclusive devotion.”
I know David Platt and have wrestled with some of what he has said, especially after his having taken on 2 children. But, he, true to a higher calling, does choose a different, more difficult , more dangerous path. And having seen that, I have stood ashamed for my self centered not Christ centered thoughts.
Where is the line we draw between self/others-family for the sake of Christ……. I still haven’t nailed that one down yet.
Thanks for your thoughts
Yes. There’s a lot of thought and prayer to be put into it. Taking on two children though doesn’t mean you’re not abandoning yourself. What if no one had children? Then there would be no one to carry on God’s message. Just a thought.
Hmmm good questions! I’m not sure I have a good answer but I can tell you over the past two years, God constantly has me in discomfort. Pushed, pulled, prodded, stretched beyond what I find comfortable or even doable within myself and my life. I have this feeling, He’s going to keep pushing me too! You always have such good books that I add to my wish list to read!
Blessings,
Mel
Please feel free to stop by: Trailing After God
It is definitely worth the read. It will get you thinking though, so be prepared.