CHRISTIANITY ON STEROIDS
Imagine being gifted along the lines of the man described in 1Corinthians 13. Paul writes about a man having full command of every language on earth, and as if that were not enough, also the language of angels. Boy, what a communicator a guy could be for God with that gift. Then add to that the gift of prophecy and wisdom to understand every mystery. Whew, the speaking tour alone would be exhausting. And finally give that same man the attitude of self sacrifice, forgoing all his earthly wealth to feed the poor and cloth the homeless. In the end, he is so comitted to Jesus that he faces a dreaded death with unflinching courage. I call that a Christian on steroids.
Pretty noble stuff. By my account this would be living life everyday on the mountain top. Walking so close with Jesus that this earth doesn't even phase the mind.
In actuality, God calls us to even greater challenges. Be faithful in your marriage. Don't exasperate your children. Show kindness to those who are in the way. Pray that your arch competitor becomes even more prosperous. Put our interests aside for the interests of others. Stop and help someone when it will make us late. Trust God during the most difficult circumstances where we are powerless to affect them. Develop a prayer life that features others first. Be a faithful man to the end, finishing well for the cross of Christ. This is truly Christianity on Steroids.
Unglamorous? You bet. Sound difficult? It is. Can it be accomplished by human will? Of course not. Only with Jesus as the center of our lives are we able to live as He commanded.
Put the face of reality on Christian living. This isn't about salvation. Salvation is free. This is about discipleship. Discipleship will cost you everything you have. There are no brownie points for this lifestyle. According to Romans 12:1, this is basic 101, expected, living. The call is "living sacrifices." Present your bodies as living sacrifices." This is not a metaphor and it isn't some deep hidden message. It couldn't be more plain. The mercy that Jesus displayed to us for our souls, is to be replicated in our lives.
There is no sweeter burden.
Imagine being gifted along the lines of the man described in 1Corinthians 13. Paul writes about a man having full command of every language on earth, and as if that were not enough, also the language of angels. Boy, what a communicator a guy could be for God with that gift. Then add to that the gift of prophecy and wisdom to understand every mystery. Whew, the speaking tour alone would be exhausting. And finally give that same man the attitude of self sacrifice, forgoing all his earthly wealth to feed the poor and cloth the homeless. In the end, he is so comitted to Jesus that he faces a dreaded death with unflinching courage. I call that a Christian on steroids.
Pretty noble stuff. By my account this would be living life everyday on the mountain top. Walking so close with Jesus that this earth doesn't even phase the mind.
In actuality, God calls us to even greater challenges. Be faithful in your marriage. Don't exasperate your children. Show kindness to those who are in the way. Pray that your arch competitor becomes even more prosperous. Put our interests aside for the interests of others. Stop and help someone when it will make us late. Trust God during the most difficult circumstances where we are powerless to affect them. Develop a prayer life that features others first. Be a faithful man to the end, finishing well for the cross of Christ. This is truly Christianity on Steroids.
Unglamorous? You bet. Sound difficult? It is. Can it be accomplished by human will? Of course not. Only with Jesus as the center of our lives are we able to live as He commanded.
Put the face of reality on Christian living. This isn't about salvation. Salvation is free. This is about discipleship. Discipleship will cost you everything you have. There are no brownie points for this lifestyle. According to Romans 12:1, this is basic 101, expected, living. The call is "living sacrifices." Present your bodies as living sacrifices." This is not a metaphor and it isn't some deep hidden message. It couldn't be more plain. The mercy that Jesus displayed to us for our souls, is to be replicated in our lives.
There is no sweeter burden.
posted by Terry L. Burr | 7:39 PM
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