Scattered thoughts

Thoughts on Crazy love by Francis Chan

What is heaven to you? Is it merely an alternative to hell? What if I asked you, if you could have a heaven, a heaven with no sickness or death. A heaven where all your friends were, along with everything you've ever enjoyed on earth, all the food and music and earthly wonders. If you could have that heaven, even if Christ was not there, would you? Christians seem only to think about whether what they are doing is what God wants or not if they think it will affect their salvation. You may ask yourself questions that go along the lines of, "If I do this, can I still get into heaven"? If that is true, then your entire view on what God intends for His children is wrong.

Repeatedly in the Bible, God asks for everything. All of it. What is considered "radical Christianity" is exactly what Jesus Himself asked of His disciples. Go out into the world, making disciples of all nations! Not, go to church every Saturday or Sunday, know some Bible verses, and don't have sex before marriage. How is that furthering the cause of Christ? Look at the parable of the sower in Mark chapter 4. Ask yourself, what was His message in this parable? It appears to me as if He is saying, "to be a good seed, a true follower of Me, you must bear fruit." Chan says that he doesn't think that those who don't bear fruit will make it to heaven. Not that God can't cover a multitude of sins. He can and does. But don't assume you are the good seed.

Say someone asks you if you would choose God over everything you own. I know most of us want to say that we'd pick God, without hesitation. But would you? Would you really? And even if you did, would it be grudgingly?

Are you content to live a lukewarm life, despite the fact that God says that lukewarm living disgusts Him? Is it satisfying for you to not have to trust God, because you have your bank account, or your 5-year plan? Or is now the time to finally understand what God, the one and only perfect Being, is the God who loves you and not only wants what is best for you, but is able to give it to you? Humans are no where near perfect. We are selfish, controlling, and stupid. But He promises that with Him, nothing is impossible. Did you catch that? Nothing. The lost ones are found, the broken ones are restored, the ones consumed by sadness can trade it for joy! Being in love with God and following Him in every second of your life isn't just for radical Christians. It isn't just for those who think that it isn't impossible. It's for you. He's standing right there next to you, waiting to take you and your lukewarm life and transform them into the gloriousness He has planned. And you can accept. All you have to do is ask.