Read this article on The Resurgence this morning. I think it ties in nicely with both the preaching series and the Bible studies I am doing with the young adults. Don't get a wishy-washy, soft view of who Jesus is. Understand who he is and what he said... don't try and smooth it over to make it easier. Jesus is who he is, and we can't change that.
The article refers to C.S Lewis' The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe where a reference to Aslan states he is not safe, but he is good. That's a great understanding of who Jesus is too.
Jesus didn't say that if we wanted to follow him, we needed to take up our mattress, but rather take up our cross! If you are going to follow Jesus:
- You are going to upset some people (Matthew 10:34-36).
- He will bring out changes in you (Luke 19:1-10).
- We cannot meet him and stay the same! He is going to challenge you to look straight ahead and not behind, no matter how good or bad it may have been (Luke 9:62).
- You are going to have to lay some things aside (Mark 1:18).
- He will impact every area of your life (Romans 12:1), and you cannot pick and choose your areas of surrender when you are abiding in him.
- You are going to hear his voice clearly and accurately (John 10:4).
- You are going to experience abundant life, and your life will not be wasted (John 10:10).
- You are going to have to stop messing around—literally (1 Corinthians 6:18-20). In fact, following Jesus may make your dating life seem quite “boring” to others.
- You are going to have to surrender your wallet (Matthew 6:19-24, Luke 16:10-13).
- It is going to take a willingness to change the way you think (Romans 12:1-2).
- It is going to move your heart to care about and reach out to people that he deeply cares for (Matthew 28:18-20). I cannot say I am a follower of Christ and be unconcerned with the things that concern him.
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