Saturday, May 2, 2009

Time For Revival... But, I Think I'll Kill Aliens First

Sometimes I feel like I'm drowning in a sea of mediocrity. A flood of mediocrity fills my lungs as the fire is slowly choked to death. Day in and day out I live and walk with Christians whom I fear I will become. Is the call of Christ really so easy to put aside for worldly comforts and pleasures? Or, maybe I really am so naive as to think that what I read in the Bible about suffering, counting the cost, and dying to self should be the norm for Christ-followers. All too often I can't help but wonder if youthful zeal and passion will fade as I age. Can I expect to join the ranks of the Christian soldiers around me that seem to be on a permanent leave of absence? At the age of 30, will I spend all my free time napping and shooting aliens on the x-box with my other balding 30-year-old friends?

But on the other hand, why should the fire die?

Paul was an old man when he spoke these words:
"I do not consider my life of any account as dear to myself,
so that I may finish my course and the ministry which I received from the Lord Jesus,
to testify solemnly of the gospel of the grace of God.
And now, behold, I know that all of you, among whom I went about preaching the kingdom, will no longer see my face.
Therefore, I testify to you this day that
I am innocent of the blood of all men.
For I did not shrink from declaring to you the whole purpose of God."


Paul did not consider his life as dear to himself. Nor did he consider comforts, money, religion, or laziness as worthy of his life investment. Paul gave everything to finish the course and the ministry set before
us. Paul was on a mission, the missio dei (mission of God), that was not solely his own, but a mission for all Christ-followers. He lived, suffered, and preached in a manner that made him innocent of the blood of all men he encountered.

I only wish I could say the same, for my hands are stained red by all of the opportunities that I have missed. I have failed time and time gain in my service to the kingdom whether for fear or doubt or, most notably, apathy. Hell is a real place. The truth is that this is the destination for some. My feet are supposed to be beautiful as they carry good news, for "how will they believe in Him whom they have not heard?" Today's church has no urgency. We have an understanding of hell, but, judging by our actions, we don't care. To care would be to do something. To care would be to preach. To care would be to love. To care would be to emulate Christ.


Where is the light? "You are the light of the world."

Where is the love? "By this all men will know that you are My disciples, if you have love for one another."
Where is the sacrifice? "Indeed, all who desire to live godly in Christ Jesus will be persecuted."

Where is the power? "All authority has been given to me in heaven and on earth... lo, I am with you always."
Where is the boldness? "As they observed the confidence of Peter and John and understood that they were uneducated and untrained men, they were amazed, and began to recognize them as having been with Jesus."


Where is the revival? This is the question that Christians and churches continually ask, but are unwilling to catalytically spark. There is no time, it is now. "Behold, now is 'the acceptable time,' behold, now is 'the day of salvation' --

When are we going to grow up?

When are we going to step up?

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