This weekend I finished "Crazy Love," a wonderful book by Francis Chan. It's a non-nonsense book about serious Christian living, and it stretched me. It'll stretch, and convict, you, too.
In one chapter, Chan asks, "Are you in love with God, or just His stuff?" There's a question worth pondering. Do I stick with God and this Christian life thing because I know that in a pinch, I might really need God's help? Do I tithe because I know I'll come out better in the end? Do I do any number of things as a Christian, mainly because I want to stay in God's good graces and have access to his benefits?
Or do I do these things because I truly love God...not because he'll do good things for me? Can I say, "God, you can keep all your stuff, because it's not important to me. All I want is you."
If there were no tangible benefits to living the Christian life, no promise of an "abundant life," would I still do it, simply because God is God, and because Jesus died for me?
Chan draws the comparison of a child who says, "I don't really love you or want your love, but I would like my allowance, please." Do we, so to speak, "marry God for his money"?
Chan writes, "Do you love this God who is everything, or do you just love everything He gives you?"
"It's not about you," is how Rick Warren begins "The Purpose-Filled Life." But so many Christians live as if it IS about them--about their problems and how God can come to their rescue. And if things don't go the way they like, they get upset with God. But that is SO missing the point of what it means to be a Christ-follower.
Career-wise, I've been hanging around and writing about and cheering on churches and pastors for the past 25 years as my denomination's Communications Director.
Steve, this is great. In two weeks I am preaching a message along very similar lines. I think that I am going to get that book and read it first. I have come to realize that even some people in the church I pastor seem to only come to worship because they feel as though they are trying to make some sort of bargin with God. Lately, God has been really speaking to me about my personal need to love Him more, not just His stuff.
Again, this is good stuff! God Bless!
This book is right on. I teach young children at church. When I teach a salvation lesson to them I am very careful not to dangle heaven in front of them. I don't want them to accept Jesus because of the reward they will get. I want them to want Him because of who He is and because they need forgiveness.