Following Jesus is not for wimps.
Eleven of the twelve apostles died as martyrs. The twelfth, John lived out the last years of his life in exile on the island of Patmos.
James Jesus' half brother was beheaded.
In 2 Corinthians 11 Paul gives a long list of things he endured because of his faith in Jesus and his service to Jesus Nothing of them are anything I would want to experience.
We have a theology in the church today that says if:
- your not healthy
- you not wealthy
- your church is not growing
- your church has issues or struggles
- you have issues or struggles
then you are not following Jesus like you should. You are not spiritual and you don't have enough faith.
There is a Greek word for this kind of theology - Baloney!
The time to stop being "plastic Christians" is now.
The time to stop playing religious games is now.
The time to be honest is now.
Jesus wants honest, transparent, real followers. Followers that are like the father of the boy Jesus encountered when He came down from the mountain after He was transfigured. The boy had a demon and the disciples couldn't do anything so the man ask Jesus, "But if you can do anything, take pity on us and help us." Jesus then says, "If you can? Everything is possible for one who believes." Then the man cried out, "I do believe; help me overcome my unbelief!"
I want to see Jesus work in my life.
I want to see Jesus work in my family.
I want to see Jesus work in my faith family.
I want to see Jesus work in my community.
I want to see Jesus work in my nation.
I want to see Jesus work in the world.
I want to believe. But at times I doubt. I struggle with trusting Jesus and really believing that He will work in and through me. I want to be real, but I also want to be transformed and made to be like Jesus.
Raising the Roof and Removing the Walls
Joe
