Chapter 4 - Crazy Love

Let me start this blog with a thank you to all those who are reading along with me through this book. I appreciate your posts and your letting me know you are out there. If my take on this book ever offends, please don't ever think I am feeling high and mighty. If anything God is dealing with my heart as I read through this book. I stand guilty of most of the things spelled out throughout these pages, but the reason we are doing this is so that we get back on track.
Also, I want you guys to be thinking about if there is a book you want us to try next or if you would like to write the blog for us. Just let me know either on the blog itself or e-mail me at mgbteach@yahoo.com That being said we still have a number of weeks in this book so lets dive back into it.
Profile of the Lukewarm. God has said that he would prefer us to be ice cold over the lukewarm. There is nothing more detestable to him than for someone to profess his name with their mouth and defame him with their actions. On page 66, Mr. Chan relates that Jesus elected to speak in parables so that people who weren't truly listening wouldn't get it. Today we do a lot of research whenever we go to speak to a group of people. We adjust our methods to make the greatest impact. God takes a different approach. Truth is truth. His words spoke to the heart. If you came with a hard heart the message fell on deaf ears. God wants those who are ready to listen. He wants genuine Christians. Are we genuine? The statement: "Do not assume you are good soil." is shocking. We assume that we are good soil because we live in America. We have heard the message. We are better than most, Right? What do we spend our time and energy on throughout the day? If it isn't the kingdom than our soil is full of weeds. I don't know about you but I have a lot of weeds. This is depressing on one hand but the word points out this so that we may take action. It is time for some gardening. This doesn't mean that you must cut out the things you love, because God has given you desires. What this does mean is that we must utilize the things that we love to further God's glory on this Earth.
Phil. 3:10 Paul writes that he wants to know Christ and the power of his resurrection and the fellowship of sharing in his sufferings, becoming like him in his death. I don't know about you but I really wish that verse had stopped in the middle. A friend of mine once told me that it would be easier if God called him to die for Him. It's the living for Him that was the hard part. He died for us and calls for us to live for Him.
How faithful are we with our tithe? I think many are faithful giving their 10%. Of course it is said that we debate whether that should be taken before or after taxes. It is sad that we budget in the 10% so that it doesn't really affect our status quo. I feel that God asks for 10% but our tithe should stretch us. When you look at it in the sense that everything ever created has come from God and He has blessed us with an income. We are only giving him back a portion of what He has given to us. I need to stretch myself for Him. I need to give more and rely on Him more.
Lukewarm people don't really want to be saved from their sin; they want only to be saved from the penalty of their sin. Do we come to the throne of a Holy God and try to pull one over on Him? He will not be fooled. He created us and knows the depths of our depravity. Only those that genuinely flee from their sin and recoil from it will be freed from the penalty of it.
I remember reading the story found in Luke 9:57-62 of the men who wished to follow Jesus. I remember thinking that it was harsh. Not being able to bury your dead father? Not being able to say goodbye to your family? The underlying thread in all of these is are you going to put anything... ANYTHING... above God? When asked who He was, God said "I AM" He is. What's the meaning of Life? Creation? Love? Adoration? God. God is it. There is nothing on this planet or on any other that can be seated above Him. I'm in this with you. I constantly have to stay vigilant to remove myself and my desires from the pedestal.
Phil 3:18-20 "For, as I have often told you before and now say again even with tears, many live as enemies of the cross of Christ. Their destiny is destruction, their god is their stomach, and their glory is in their shame. Their mind is on earthly things. But our citizenship is in heaven. And we eagerly await a Savior from there, the Lord Jesus Christ." Which side are we on? Are you a double agent? Are you a victor in Christ? Are you an enemy? Regardless of how you answered, one thing is certain. Now is the time to join Him. God I pray that we as individuals, as the Church, we purge ourselves of our sin and become truly disgusted by it. God I pray that you refine us and that we follow you with true and utter obedience. God, help us to be authentic followers of you. If there is anything that doesn't bring you glory, I ask that you grant us that quiet whisper, and when that doesn't work God I pray that you give us a mighty shake. Let not our will, but your will be done. Amen.