recently cody and I had finished reading 'radical' by david platt. it had been a captivating read and at the very least... it was immensely convicting. I would recommend this book for any and all people at any stage in their faith.. but especially for those believers who get frustrated at how our society twists biblical truths into culturally acceptable traditions/rituals/habits/routines - by tickling the ears ['for the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine; but wanting to have their ears tickled, they will accumulate for themselves teachers in accordance to their own desires...' II Timothy 4:3].
initially, cody and I both had reservations about this book, cody's hesitation stemmed from his innate discernment as it pertains to his walk with Christ. my simple reserve was associated with the title.. 'radical' just sounded too.. uncomfortable. after reading the 1st few chapters, we collectively concluded that this book is a MUST READ. like I mentioned above.. the convictions in this book are so humbling that you have no choice but to take a look at how you are living [or dying] for Christ.
Order your copy of Radical HERE |
| an underground house meeting in asia - these people risk their lives to do this |
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| Joel Osteen's rather large church in TX |
one of the many convictions this book encapsulates is how we, as american believers, take for granted our freedom [as far as our faith is concerned - not to mention all the other freedoms we have in this country] we are utterly blessed that we aren't persecuted -comparably to any other country- as a Christian. and yet, not only do we take advantage of it, we grow to mock it... to twist it into some 'feel good', pick me up, hopeful crutch for all life's hardships. but what this book does is literally brings light to the REAL hardships that people across the nations go through just to read a few passages of God's word.
as these pictures try to convey... church in the good 'ol u.s. of a. has become quite the spectacle. a combination of light, sound and performance. i would bet that none of the people in attendance at mr. osteen's church in TX risked their life to be apart of the worship the morning this picture was taken... and what's more disturbing is the fact that this massive building would likely be empty if any of them had to!
now don't get me wrong.. i am a sold-out christian.. one who is willing and able to RISK IT ALL for Christ... and i know that there are others like me in this country. HOWEVER... that doesn't down play the fact that -unfortunately- the greater percentage of US churches are ever changing and upgrading to the latest fads in order to bring in the masses [even though when you talk about true discipleship.. Christ Himself only poured His life into a mere 12 men... not thousands] when will these leaders figure out that it's not about the number.. it's about the gospel. the true, hard, convicting, uneasy, wonderfully GREAT gospel.
David Wells, The Courage to Be Protestant:
The evangelical church, or at least a good slice of it, is nervous, twitchy, and touchy about consumer desire, ready to change in a nanosecond at the slightest hint that tastes and interests have changed. Why? Because consumer appetite reigns. And consumer appetites are very much alive in what used to be called the pew. Those who attend churches are now like any other customers you might meet in the mall. Displease them in any way and they will take their business elsewhere (p. 36).
on that note... i have recently decided to withdraw my membership to a community church that i had been attending since the latter part of '09 [not bc it wasn't entertaining.. actually... it was TOO entertaining]. the things that accumulatively led to this decision were: the decrease in gospel teaching [more motivational, topical teaching], the candy-coating of our Holy God [will address below], and the seemingly lack of regard to member's concerns as it pertains to big church decisions. [we won't mention the disappointment i have felt, personally, with the ways the lead pastor decides to portray himself on social networking sites - people can see your choice of music when you decide to make it public.. and though I'm sure eminem is talented... his music is probably not the outlet Christ will use to speak to you - just wise counsel from your sister in Christ].
[the candy-coated God]:
the absolute MAIN reason for my looking elsewhere for a church home is my deep deep thirst for gospel teaching... everything Christ. i want it. so in the meantime, i have decided to start attending another local church that has been concise in it's doctrine and authentic in the Holiness of God. For example... YES it's true that God loves you [john 3:16] and YES it's true that He loves you where you are... but don't you EVER think that He is at all okay with you staying that way. the 'feel-good' preachers like to make God out to be this ever-loving, non-damning God...
however.. the epiphany that i had this morning as i walked through the church doors, feeling like i haven't been proud of the way I've been living my life lately... i felt guilty! i felt like a sinner not worthy of the presence of my God, i felt dirty, i felt convicted and humiliated... AND I SHOULD. where did we ever get the idea to use Jesus Christ as a "free-for-all" sin pass???? HOW DARE US!
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our God is HOLY. absolutely. He is UNABLE of being in the presence of sin... so unless every sin is confessed by the heart authentically.. you are UNWORTHY of the presence of our God. not exactly the feel-good gospel eh??
we should be groveling at the feet of our Lord, face down on the ground, crying out for forgiveness of our sins that we commit that put a gap between us and God... yet we go to church sunday morning, maybe partake in a midweek service or small group and for all the other days... live at home, at work, out with friends as we see fit - without conviction, bc we know our Jesus has paid the price for our deserved damnation... and we like the feeling of being taken care of.
how do we repay Christ for what He did? we can't. but the least we can do is live for the One who died for us. i have often heard the story of the rich man coming to Jesus inquiring about following Him, only to hear that he would have to sell or give away all of his possessions in order to follow Him...
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this has been preached on many of times with an ending statement of "well of course, Jesus isn't literally asking us to sell all of our possessions... He is referring to... He is meaning... He is making a point that..." - really? what if we take Him at His word... that He really did mean what He said? would you follow Him?
i have made a commitment. a commitment to go wherever i must go, to sell whatever i must sell, to be whatever i must be in order to bring others to Christ. once you have made that decision... the peace you feel is inevitable and completely satisfying [not to the flesh - but to the soul]. to the flesh it feels like thousands of heart breaks... realizing that the dream you had [being a CNM in the USA] isn't what Christ has in store... giving up the potential of a 6-figure/yr income... to knowing that God will likely lead you to a remote nation, with unreached people, where you are entitled to $0/yr as you risk your life to spread the good news.
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i don't know about you... but i want Christ to come so that all the believers may live with Him for all eternity in Paradise. and the bible makes it clear that He will not come until ALL have had the chance to hear His name.
"And this gospel of the kingdom will be preached in all the world as a witness to all the nations, and then the end will come" (Matthew 24:14).
what is our calling... what is your calling?
.S.U.R.R.E.N.D.E.R.
