Jesus commands us to goIt should be the exception if we stay
It's no wonder we're moving so slow
When God's children refuse to obey
-Keith Green
Perhaps if it was only a man speaking words such as these we could sign them off as extreme and unnecessary. But when the Spirit of God whispers them as truth, we dare not turn a deaf ear. If we are our Lord's bond servants, our ears are pierced, and we hear Him.
It should be the "exception" if we are to stay? But Lord, that makes it sound like everyone is called to go and follow you.
Yes.
It makes it sound like everyone is commanded to leave their home and loved ones and friends and possessions to go and bring your Kingdom to this world.
Yes.
It makes it sounds like we are to go and die!
"If anyone comes to Me and does not hate his father and mother, wife and children, brothers and sisters, yes, and his own life also, he cannot be my disciple. And whoever does not bear his cross and come after Me cannot be My disciple."
Lord, this seems so harsh! So extreme!
Yes.
But "Assuredly, I say to you, there is no one who has left house or parents or brothers or wife or children, for the sake of the kingdom of God, who shall not receive many times more in this present time, and in the age to come eternal life."
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Perhaps Keith Green was considered extreme. Perhaps what Jackie Pullenger did (and still is doing) was considered extreme. Perhaps what Katie in Uganda is doing, with 13 kids at 20 years of age, is considered extreme and unnecessary. But then I see my Lord, running through His temple with a whip removing the filth of corruption and evil. What was that considered? If He came to your church today with a whip, full of zeal for His house, prepared to ruthlessly remove anything that does not bring glory to His holy name, would you welcome Him? Or would there be a different reply?
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There are some who would have Christ cheap.
They would have Him without the cross.
But the price will not come down.
-Samuel Rutherford
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Extreme? No, just the GOSPEL.
1 comment:
It scared me to death to write that. Why does the church not tremble before those words? Why don't we TREMBLE just at being called Christians? Do you call yourself after this Man? If so, does it make you tremble? It should. Where is the fear of God in the church today?
Perhaps it has something do do with fear that is taught by the commandment of men. LORD, teach us to fear YOU!
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