1 John 2:4-6
“If someone claims, “I know him well!” but doesn’t keep his commandments, he’s obviously a liar. His life doesn’t match his words. But the one who keeps God’s word is the person in whom we see God’s mature love. This is the only way to be sure we’re in God. Anyone who claims to be intimate with God ought to live the same kind of life Jesus lived.”
I have been claiming that I know God. With my tongue I confess my love for him. I say that I would follow him to the edges of the earth. That I would even give my life for his name. But wait… you are saying I have to pay for this on my own? My bank account is my security, you know this Lord. You see, this mission trip is expensive, 15,000 dollars is a lot of money to raise in such a short period of time. As of today I have received 75 dollars in donations. But down the street sits a bank that has a computer and in that computer I have the money to pay for this trip. I checked yesterday, I have exactly enough. I have placed so much security in money that I am truly unable to completely rely on the Lord. How sad is it that we doubt our very God. I know this is nothing new. The Disciples watched Jesus walk on water to the boat but doubted him hours later when the storm came. I think to myself how could they do that? He just walked on water! What chance does that give me then?
Francis Chan speaks of being a radical in our pursuit to follow Jesus. I have fought this idea for so long. Yeah it sounds good when you talk about it but who really wants to give up the luxuries we have? It is very hard for Americans to do that. We are socialized from a young age to be the best, to own the best cars and houses. But Jesus did not have that. He wandered the earth and lost his life. Most of the disciples did not fair much better. Most of the lost their life or faced constant persecution.
I am saying all this stuff because I am going to fund this mission trip out of my own pocket. I am getting rid of false securities and idols. I will not only speak about Jesus but I will follow him with my feet. In the end I want to be the good salt that he can use, not salt unfit even for manure.
I ask you to look at your own life.”We do not have time to waste our lives living out a Christian spin on the American Dream”.(David Platt)
