Writers are typically people who think too much. The extent of their thinking is the reason why their thoughts need an outlet. For the past few weeks I have let a few things simmer in my mind, and the result? A plethora of hypotheses, questions, conclusions and assumptions. Like a bloated belly in need of relief, my mind randomly let itself go in the next few paragraphs.
So, is there such a thing as being too much of a Christian?
In modern society, we cannot deny that people are just a tad bit too fanatical when it comes to expressing their love for things (sports, celebrities, etc). Such fanaticism is easily tolerated and sometimes even admired, except if it is Jesus related. There are those who love Christ quietly, but is there something wrong with one who decides to love Him loudly? I really don't think so. Scripture does not tell me so. David, described as a man after God's own heart, sure did love Him loudly. So, I will decorate my sentences with "by God's grace" and "God willing" because I believe the words of James 4:13-15; Tomorrow is not guaranteed. I will do my best not to ignore any opportunity to share Jesus, especially with friends and family, because I will rather they are uncomfortable or call me names, and go to heaven than that they are nice to me and go to hell. Because I believe in God's impending judgement.
There is one not so comfortable aspect about loving Jesus loudly though; the fact that your life gets scrutinized even more closely. Am I expected to be perfect because I am not ashamed to say I love Jesus? Because I am a "Jesus freak" or because I call out sin? I cannot promise to be perfect, but I can promise to be sorry. I do not delight in sin, I sure detest how it makes me feel after, but being temporarily bound to this flesh, I sometimes find myself engaging in it. There is a reason why the "Our Father", a prayer we were taught by Jesus Himself to say everyday, includes a request for forgiveness. A request for forgiveness everyday. I love Jesus so much especially because I know how undeserving I am of His love. I rely on His grace daily to be anything that is truly good, because without Him, I am incapable of goodness. He who has been forgiven more, loves more...right?
How does sin happen?
Oh how the flesh cries to do that which is wrong. How it relishes that moment when you succumb to its will.
During this Lenten season, I found myself experiencing my disobedience in slow motion. What usually happens is, I realize my wrong only after having done it (e.g saying the wrong words, or reacting in pride/selfishness). Catching myself just before doing wrong has made me see even more clearly that life is a matter of choice, right down to the simplest and most mundane of things. Do I choose to do what I know is right, or what my flesh desperately wants to me do? For example, I think of instances where I went ahead and snapped back at a disrespectful colleague instead of responding in forgiveness and humility. I can distinctly remember the feeling of satisfaction in my flesh but disappointment in my spirit. I will rather it be the reverse, wouldn't you?
Is it possible to forget one's own thoughts?
Reason #1001 why I love writing. Yes, I do forget my own thoughts, that is why writing to me is like saving gold in a treasure chest. Not too long ago I re-read one of my blog posts (The Happy Bus Driver) and was encouraged and even chastened to be more thankful. It struck me just how much my own words impacted me. If I can forget what came out of me, how much more will I forget what I assimilate from outside. That is why the "Once saved, always saved" concept does not make sense to me. Salvation is a continuous experience because as humans we forget, we get lazy, we get distracted. That is why Paul said in Philippians 3:12 (NKJV) "Not that I have attained, or am already perfected; but I press on, that I may lay hold of that for which Christ Jesus has also laid hold of for me."
There is nothing new under the sun.
Reading Genesis 3 again got me thinking...Satan has not changed his tactics. Take a look at a snippet of the conversation between the serpent and Eve on that fateful day (Genesis 3:1-5 NKJV);
Serpent: "Has God indeed said 'You shall not eat of every tree of the garden'?"
Woman: "We may eat the fruit of the trees of the garden; but of the fruit of the tree which is in the midst of the garden, God has said, 'You shall not eat it, nor shall you touch it, lest you die.'"
Serpent: "You will not surely die. For God knows that in the day you eat of it your eyes will be opened, and you will be like God, knowing good and evil."
Satan still uses the same strategy. His lies always have a little bit of truth in them, and question the absolute truth of God. What God has said is clear, but Satan's words still echo throughout the world: "Did God really say...". And most of us go ahead and take the bait just like Eve, justifying our disobedience in one way or another. The Bible is distinctly clear on many issues, but Satan has got us twisting things and asking ourselves if God actually said what He said or meant what He said. God does not change. God does not lie. He said Adam and Eve will die if they disobeyed and that is just what happened; physically and spiritually they died. How come we still question His judgement?
During this season, as we meditate on the meaning of Christ's sacrifice, I pray our understanding of the price He paid on our behalf increases. This way, we will truly enjoy all that God has for us in Christ Jesus.
I think it is time to stop with the ranting :)
Hope it was worth your while though.
Blessings.
So, is there such a thing as being too much of a Christian?
In modern society, we cannot deny that people are just a tad bit too fanatical when it comes to expressing their love for things (sports, celebrities, etc). Such fanaticism is easily tolerated and sometimes even admired, except if it is Jesus related. There are those who love Christ quietly, but is there something wrong with one who decides to love Him loudly? I really don't think so. Scripture does not tell me so. David, described as a man after God's own heart, sure did love Him loudly. So, I will decorate my sentences with "by God's grace" and "God willing" because I believe the words of James 4:13-15; Tomorrow is not guaranteed. I will do my best not to ignore any opportunity to share Jesus, especially with friends and family, because I will rather they are uncomfortable or call me names, and go to heaven than that they are nice to me and go to hell. Because I believe in God's impending judgement.
There is one not so comfortable aspect about loving Jesus loudly though; the fact that your life gets scrutinized even more closely. Am I expected to be perfect because I am not ashamed to say I love Jesus? Because I am a "Jesus freak" or because I call out sin? I cannot promise to be perfect, but I can promise to be sorry. I do not delight in sin, I sure detest how it makes me feel after, but being temporarily bound to this flesh, I sometimes find myself engaging in it. There is a reason why the "Our Father", a prayer we were taught by Jesus Himself to say everyday, includes a request for forgiveness. A request for forgiveness everyday. I love Jesus so much especially because I know how undeserving I am of His love. I rely on His grace daily to be anything that is truly good, because without Him, I am incapable of goodness. He who has been forgiven more, loves more...right?
How does sin happen?
Oh how the flesh cries to do that which is wrong. How it relishes that moment when you succumb to its will.
During this Lenten season, I found myself experiencing my disobedience in slow motion. What usually happens is, I realize my wrong only after having done it (e.g saying the wrong words, or reacting in pride/selfishness). Catching myself just before doing wrong has made me see even more clearly that life is a matter of choice, right down to the simplest and most mundane of things. Do I choose to do what I know is right, or what my flesh desperately wants to me do? For example, I think of instances where I went ahead and snapped back at a disrespectful colleague instead of responding in forgiveness and humility. I can distinctly remember the feeling of satisfaction in my flesh but disappointment in my spirit. I will rather it be the reverse, wouldn't you?
Is it possible to forget one's own thoughts?
Reason #1001 why I love writing. Yes, I do forget my own thoughts, that is why writing to me is like saving gold in a treasure chest. Not too long ago I re-read one of my blog posts (The Happy Bus Driver) and was encouraged and even chastened to be more thankful. It struck me just how much my own words impacted me. If I can forget what came out of me, how much more will I forget what I assimilate from outside. That is why the "Once saved, always saved" concept does not make sense to me. Salvation is a continuous experience because as humans we forget, we get lazy, we get distracted. That is why Paul said in Philippians 3:12 (NKJV) "Not that I have attained, or am already perfected; but I press on, that I may lay hold of that for which Christ Jesus has also laid hold of for me."
There is nothing new under the sun.
Reading Genesis 3 again got me thinking...Satan has not changed his tactics. Take a look at a snippet of the conversation between the serpent and Eve on that fateful day (Genesis 3:1-5 NKJV);
Serpent: "Has God indeed said 'You shall not eat of every tree of the garden'?"
Woman: "We may eat the fruit of the trees of the garden; but of the fruit of the tree which is in the midst of the garden, God has said, 'You shall not eat it, nor shall you touch it, lest you die.'"
Serpent: "You will not surely die. For God knows that in the day you eat of it your eyes will be opened, and you will be like God, knowing good and evil."
Satan still uses the same strategy. His lies always have a little bit of truth in them, and question the absolute truth of God. What God has said is clear, but Satan's words still echo throughout the world: "Did God really say...". And most of us go ahead and take the bait just like Eve, justifying our disobedience in one way or another. The Bible is distinctly clear on many issues, but Satan has got us twisting things and asking ourselves if God actually said what He said or meant what He said. God does not change. God does not lie. He said Adam and Eve will die if they disobeyed and that is just what happened; physically and spiritually they died. How come we still question His judgement?
During this season, as we meditate on the meaning of Christ's sacrifice, I pray our understanding of the price He paid on our behalf increases. This way, we will truly enjoy all that God has for us in Christ Jesus.
I think it is time to stop with the ranting :)
Hope it was worth your while though.
Blessings.