mikeclevenger:

It was a typical day.  Get up early, stumble out of bed to my Keurig to brew a fresh cup of coffee (or 3).  Go to work, hang out with friends, possible bible study, hang out with friends again, and then eventually go to bed.  Of course, social networking making its way through all of those things somehow.

But tonight at CRU (Campus Crusade) I was shook.  I’ll be honest, I was going tonight for free food, and to hear some good friends of mine play music.  But tonight, the speaker, James Barnett, briefly gave his testimony; and then his personal convictions that really struck a chord in my heart, (a diminished chord if I was to be specific).  He said some things that I’ve thought about but never thought hard.

 {Disclaimer:  It’s a little heavy}

Things like how we’ve managed to reduce Jesus’ commandments to but a calling for the few.  Cheapening the Gospel for relevancy, and to be more seeker friendly.  I fear we’ve missed the point.

For many years, I have admired the life of Christ, and His teachings.  I’d walk away from teachings, inspired by His life, by his commands He gave to people.  To GO and sell all of their things.  To love the least of these.  To give to the needy, bless those who persecute you, etc.  
But do I follow Him?  There comes a point where your admiration has to meet desperation.  To where these thoughts and theories become action and real-life.  To where you don’t just leave challenged but changed.

I’ve felt like I’ve followed Christ for years, and have been fairly obedient to His “guidelines” laid out in scripture; never done drugs, never been drunk, still a virgin, etc.  But wow how I’ve missed the point of it all!  Your obedience to the Lord is not what you don’t do, but what you do for the world He loves.  I’ll repeat that.  Your obedience to the Lord is not what you don’t do, but what you do for the world He loves!

Oh what a paradigm shift!

James said something else that struck another funky chord, (a major 7th if I was to be specific).  If you, in worship, raise your hands up to show your love for God and then walk out of those four walls and don’t reach your arms out to the needy, you don’t truly love God.

Take away from me the noise of your songs; to the melody of your harps I will not listen.  BUT let justice roll down like waters, and righteousnesslike an ever-flowing stream. -Amos 5v23-24

Jesus said it himself in Matthew 25v34-40:  
”..Come, you who are blessed by my Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world.  For I was hungry and you gave me food, I was thirsty and you gave me drink, I was a stranger and you welcomed me, I was naked and you clothed me, I was sick and you visited me, I was in prison and you came to me.”  Then the righteous will answer him, saying, Lord when did we see you hungry and feed you, or thirsty and give you drink?  And when did we see you a stranger and welcome you, or naked and clothe you?  And when did we see you sick or in prison and visit you?”  And the King will answer them, ”Truly, I say to you, as you did it to one of the least of these my brothers, you did it to me.”

Tonight I made a decision to truly follow Christ.  To be dependent on Him.  I don’t know exactly what that looks like.  Does it mean I sell all my things?  I’m not sure but I’d appreciate prayer and I’d encourage you to consider the life of Christ.  To not reduce his commands to suggestions or a specific calling for few.  He calls us to pick up our cross and follow Him.  

  ps.  if you want to hear more about James Barnett’s story/ministry click on the title at the top (:
grace and peace.

amazing. inspiring.