Casual Christianity?

January 17

Casual Christianity?

I find no basis for this concept in the scriptures and yet I find so many believers who believe that they can treat their relationship with Christ in a less than committed manner. Christianity is a life choice that encompasses and fills every part of our lives. Jesus never gave us the option to be part time. So many come to the Lord in a moment of emotion, maybe sincerity but they miss the fact that they are not called to come “get saved”, they are called to come be disciples. That means learning what the master taught and walking in it day by day and moment to moment.

People want to check the Box for God but live out their days for themselves. That choice is not available to us as Christians. Jesus calls us to a deep and intimate walk where we are following Him where ever He leads.

Matthew 16:24-26
24 Then Jesus told his disciples, “If anyone would come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross and follow me. 25 For whoever would save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for my sake will find it. 26 For what will it profit a man if he gains the whole world and forfeits his soul? Or what shall a man give in return for his soul?

Jesus was serious when He said to follow we had to take up our cross. What does that mean? It means that even to the death, even through humiliation, even through abuse and rejection we follow where he leads. Who really seeks his direction in decisions? Who asks God to lead their steps and then takes those steps once they have been revealed. No, no, no. He reveals his will and we make excuses and turn away, but we are comfortable with the excuses.

Luke 9: 59 To another he said, “Follow me.” But he said, “Lord, let me first go and bury my father.” 60 And Jesus said to him, “Leave the dead to bury their own dead. But as for you, go and proclaim the kingdom of God.” 61 Yet another said, “I will follow you, Lord, but let me first say farewell to those at my home.” 62 Jesus said to him, “No one who puts his hand to the plow and looks back is fit for the kingdom of God.”

Some of us are not looking back, we never set our full attention on Him to begin with. There is work to do, we can’t plow a straight line if we take our eyes off the field.

Luke 18: 28 And Peter said, “See, we have left our homes and followed you.” 29 And he said to them, “Truly, I say to you, there is no one who has left house or wife or brothers or parents or children, for the sake of the kingdom of God, 30 who will not receive many times more in this time, and in the age to come eternal life.”

The rewards start now. If we surrender our loves, passions and Gods to serve Him he takes care of us. What tiny things we allow to take His place. He is a short list of suggestions many of which I fall prey to also. How many items can you add to the list?

• I have a really nice home
  • My Fridge is Full
  • My bank account is in the black
  • My 401 is exploding
  • My kids are at the best schools
  • I drive a very nice car
  • I take the very best vacations and enjoy my recreation
  • We have extravagant parties and lots of friends
  • My Favorite team is winning
  • My Favorite team is winning
  • My Favorite team is winning
  • I got 50 likes and 10 people are following my tweets
  • We have the votes to retake congress, the white house
  • Can you say Mega Millions

1 john 2: 15 Do not love the world or the things in the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him. 16 For all that is in the world—the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life—is not of the Father but is of the world. 17 And the world is passing away, and the lust of it; but he who does the will of God abides forever

Picture shows how our lives should be focused. His kingdom is the center, the target. Everything else, everything else is outside that and has it place on the outside of our focus like the electrons orbiting the neutron of an atom. He is the center, He is the core of everything we say and do and all these other things must fall into their proper places but never into His place.

Matthew 6:33 “But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things [food, shelter and clothing] shall be added unto you.”