Do We Really Love?

The book that my bible study group has been studying lately is really kicking my hiney. I have mentioned it before, it is "Crazy Love" by Francis Chan. I really like it, but many parts are difficult to read. It is challenging, honest and straight to the point, which I need. God knows I have needed to be pushed and challenged out of my comfort zone. I feel like I have been in a safe hiding place until recently, in a season of recovery, healing, rest---spiritually, after the years that Jason was sick and our finances and marriage were a struggle. But it is time to move on. A season of stretching, trusting and challenging my walk with God has begun, albeit fearfully at times, but also joyfully. It is exciting to see what God will do in our lives when we step out in faith, trust Him and sharpen our focus on God. Sooo, after that lengthy beginning, here is some of the painful, uncomfortable stretching that God has been doing with this material I have been reading. It has actually taken me some time to sit down and write this.

Francis Chan talks about being "Lukewarm Christians". These are people that don't really want to be saved from their sin; they want only to be saved from the penalty of their sin (FIRE INSURANCE). They say they love Jesus and He is part of thier lives, but only a part. They care more about safety, security and being in control, being slaves to the god of control (Ouch---Me!) This focus keeps them from sacrificing and risking for God. Their focus in narrowed to only themselves and their family. The truth is their lives wouldn't look much different if they suddenly stopped believing in God. Whoah!!! Are you convicted yet? I am. This gave me some serious thinking to do and self examination.

The BIG KICKER is this next statement Francis made. "To put it plainly, churchgoers who are 'lukewarm' are NOT Christians. We will not see them in heaven (Revelation 3:15-18)." OK, are you scared yet? Are you getting uncomfortable, starting to sweat a little, angry? You may have a different opinion, (I wasn't sure what to think about this myself) but it is still something to think about. At what point are we saved? I have said before, that even Satan and his demons believe in God and Jesus and the Holy Spirit. They have no doubt about who they are and the power of God and His goodness. They just don't love God or Jesus.

But do we? Really? We can't go to heaven without truly and faithfully loving Jesus. (James 2:19) "You believe that there is one God. Good! Even the demons believe that---and shudder." God doesn't just want us to know him. He wants us to love him, which means obedience. Isn't that what we want from our children? Is it enough for our child to just know us? NO. We crave their love. This is shown from obedience, especially when it isn't easy. Can we become Christians without becoming Disciples? We are called to make DISCIPLES of all nations, teaching them to OBEY all that God commands us. God's grace and forgiveness is a freely offered gift, but their is also a cost to it. God does not want stagnant, immobile, lazy people. God is worth more than that. It is a slap in his face when he gives us so much. A Christian is a person who loves God, obeys him and perpetually moves toward Christ. He can't direct and guide a person who is stuck in the ground. A moving boat is easier to guide and steer. You can't guide a stationary boat or person.

So what is moving toward Him? It is LOVING him. When we love someone, we spend time with them...we WANT TO. We listen to their desires and not just our own. Do we start out the day asking what God wants us to do? Or do we just ask him to bless us? Do our prayers focus only on what we want God to do for us? Or do we listen and focus in on what God wants us to do for Him? Following God can't be halfhearted. God must be involved in everything we do. Our priorities and decisions focus around Him, instead of us trying to fit God into our schedule and events. Whose agenda do we focus on? WHO do we focus on---Ourselves or God? Hmmmmm. Hard question. Do we really believe that God's agenda is best, more important than our own? Ouch! I hope this is hitting home with you as much as it did with me. Is Loving God worth it? YES! "What good is it for a man to gain the whole world and yet lose his soul?" (Luke 9:25). Besides salvation, His ways are Best. God will reward those who seek Him.

The answer to "lukewarm" living is LOVE. We must truly love God, and work on loving him more each day. Many of us believe that we have as much of God as we want right now. He is a REASONABLE portion in our lives compared to everything else. (We don't want to be Jesus Freaks now do we? YES I DO!) A portion isn't enough! We must want ALL OF HIM...and want it more than comfortable living. He cares more about our Character than our Comfort.

John Piper asks whether we are in love with God in his book, "God is the Gospel": "The critical question for our generation---and for every generation---is this: If you could have heaven, with no sickness, and with all the friends you ever had on earth, and all the food you ever liked, and all the leisure activities you ever enjoyed, and all the natural beauties you ever saw, all the physical pleasures you ever tasted, and no human conflict or any natural disasters, could you be satisfied with heaven, if Christ was not there?" Ouch! I had to think long and hard, but my answer is No. It would not be heaven, it would be hell if Christ wasn't there. To be without him would be a black abyss. It literally makes me physically feel sick to think of it.

Don't get too stressed or upset yet. If you aren't sure if you are truly in love with Jesus and God, then the answer isn't to try harder, it is to relax and let him in to your life. Keep inviting him in. (James 4:8) "Draw near to God and he will draw near to you." Ask Him to change you and be open to it. Follow his leading even if it scares you. You won't regret it. Why do so few people genuinely find joy and pleasure in their relationship with Christ? Lukewarm living isn't fulfilling. It will never bring the joy and excitement of really loving and trusting God. Stop living in fear and try it!!! There is no one else worthy of our Love. He is the only one who won't dissappoint you! Thanks for listening to my inner, spiritual turmoil and challenge. I hope it challenges you to step out and love God and Jesus more too.