Taken

My life isn’t perfect and I still find myself challenged by what I call “the world’s logic”. It can be a little difficult because of course, we know that we’re trying to show the Love of Christ expressed in God’s plan of reconciliation to …the world.
But this can’t be on the world’s terms….right? Or can it?
The Bible tells us what type of people we ought to be, and its simplicity is unmistakable: Spiritual as opposed to carnal.

Here's The Word:

John 14:17 Even the Spirit of truth; whom the world cannot receive, because it seeth him not, neither knoweth him: but ye know him; for he dwelleth with you, and shall be in you.

1 Corinthians 2:12 Now we have received, not the spirit of the world, but the spirit which is of God; that we might know the things that are freely given to us of God.

How much should we try to be like the world in order to win them? I hear more from religious people that we should be balanced, but I don’t see this definition represented as much when I look at the Christians who changed the world during the beginnings of the church as directed by Christ.

I think we all have an image in our mind of what the wrong kind of Christian looks like. Let’s see if we can flesh them out:
     • Everything out of their mouths is “Jesus” and “Amen” – not that      there’s anything wrong with a tongue grateful to God and ready to      praise. But there’s something that just seems “overly” about it. Not      genuine.

     • Something about their talk makes you feel “judged.” – not that      rightfully, godly sorry leads to repentance and worldly sorrow leads to      death (2 Corinthians 7:10) – but then there are those who are self-     promoting while trying to bring others low…in the name of Jesus.

     • They simply can’t relate. Every TV show, movie, and music other      than worship is of the devil. – not that we don’t understand that there      should be a real separation between what we give ourselves to once       we've tasted and seen how GOOD the LORD really is. – but where       exactly is the line that divides too much religion and too much world?

Maybe you noticed what I just did. I didn’t really clarify anything at all. Hopefully, I nudged you into deep consideration as to how YOU go about not being the kind of Christian that causes people to run, versus the kind of Christians that’s so concerned with being “likeable” that then the Christ you present isn’t as powerful enough to expose the truth of their need. I do believe that there is a such thing as the wrong kind of Christian, but be very careful how you define it.

I think about Enoch (the picture), whose story is presented in Genesis 5. Along with Elijah, he’s the only other person that didn’t die, but was taken by God. What kind of believer was Enoch, taken about 700 years before the flood? Out of all the people alive then, why Enoch? Do you think Enoch’s desires were to be balanced in light of the culture he lived? Do you think he tried to not seem too overly?

I’m honestly not trying to make this a confusing or difficult thing. At the end of the day, we should be taking inventory as to what our Christianity looks like and why. I think it’s easy for today’s Christians to find a niche of stagnation and comfort, yet excuse it as a desire to not be too churchy. I believe that a reconciliation of the two are possible; to obviously hunger and thirst after righteousness and to also be amazingly approachable with people, like Christ. I believe that the answer lies in being sincerely and intently compassionate about the truth. This will stir boldness when boldness is needed, and it will stir humility and tenderness as well.

I'll close with this story: Last week, my Son, Chip received his Driver's License. It'd been over a year or so of practicing behind the wheel, and trying to find a date that wasn't previously scheduled with other things.
While driving to work one day, he said how different it feels to now be a "licensed" driver. My mind immediately went to the spiritual implications of that. Just like Chip now has the right to share the road with other licensed drivers. That right comes with an expectation. There's an expectation that he will drive in a manner that represents well, the understanding he displayed on the test to receive the license.
We've been given a liberty. A license to LIFE eternal paid for by Christ Himself. And although He accepted us as we were, there's now an expectation that we will represent Him well. Now that He's replaced that old stony heart with one of flesh, why would we want to do anything else? Why would we not seek to be as fervent as He calls us to be in putting away the old in order to make way for the new?

2 Peter 3:11 Seeing then that all these things shall be dissolved, what manner of persons ought ye to be in all holy conversation and godliness,

2 Peter 3:13 - 15(a) Nevertheless we, according to his promise, look for new heavens and a new earth, wherein dwelleth righteousness. Wherefore, beloved, seeing that ye look for such things, be diligent that ye may be found of him in peace, without spot, and blameless. And account that the longsuffering of our Lord is salvation;

It's up to each of us to "make our election sure" and be honest about where are affections lie. Those old things that used to chain us, still try and tempt us. They're tricky and relentless and if we're not careful, they can influence our desires for life away from the struggle. Fundamentally, I think it falls to who you believe your audience is - Them or Him. Be honest about what you show - are you more concerned with being balanced or being taken.


In Him,
Cros