When I was in my twenties, I was a super-Christian. I really was.
Not only did I live in the inner city, serving as the president of the board for my local Christian community development organization; not only did I recycle, using a complex system to sort all my trash; not only did I volunteer at my local pregnancy care center, even taking the midnight shift for the hot line; not only did I regularly deliver food to the homebound—I did all this because I was excited to be used by the Lord. (I was also a mother and wife, I had a job, and I was very involved in my church. Looking back, I have no idea how I managed all of that, but maybe this is a clue: I watched TV once, and was overwhelmed with guilt for wasting that half hour.)
Now that I’m an o-o-o-l-l-l-d lady (turning 40 next year!), I feel like a mediocre Christian. (And I have no problem with watching TV occasionally.)
Okay, it’s true that I have grown much deeper in my relationship with the Lord—oh, I love him; but when I hear a passionate voice to live like the Acts 2 Christians—knowing that I once voiced that passion—I wonder if I’ve lost the drive for radical obedience.
I was thinking about this while studying Francis Chan’s powerful book Crazy Love with some women from my church. Mr. Chan was challenging us to make an Act 2 commitment to each other, and we all squirmed. But as I sat there looking at each of these women that I love so much, knowing their stories and idiosyncrasies and passions, I realized that I AM already doing that.
I AM fully committed to them. We may not live in the same home, but we do live our lives together, with the church as the center of our community. We may not sell ALL our possessions, but give up our money beyond what is reasonable (not only our tithes, but our giving for missions and for special projects, our donation of cash and items to run various outreach programs or to minister to someone over lunch or to fill a food basket); we give up many hours of our time each week; we hang out with people who don’t always fit our idea of enjoyable—and we do all this so we can grow in our faith, so we can help others grow in their faith, to care for those in need, and to draw others to Jesus.
I was stunned to realize that those of us who are deeply committed to the church are doing exactly what the Act 2 Christians did.
They devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching and to fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer. Everyone was filled with awe at the many wonders and signs performed by the apostles. All the believers were together and had everything in common. They sold property and possessions to give to anyone who had need. Every day they continued to meet together in the temple courts. They broke bread in their homes and ate together with glad and sincere hearts, praising God and enjoying the favor of all the people. And the Lord added to their number daily those who were being saved.
This epiphany both encouraged me and convicted me. The church today is the place where we really can live out our radical obedience—even when we’re no longer young and tireless. However, we may have to shift our thinking about what the church is. It’s not a place to consume, but a place to give. Rather than resisting membership to one church so we can get full benefits from various locations—attending the services here, the children’s program there, the women’s Bible study somewhere else—we might consider fully committing ourselves to one imperfect body of believers with glad and sincere hearts.
By the way, there is no such thing as a super-Christian, or a mediocre Christian—or even a lousy Christian. We can’t earn a gold star from Jesus, but we can each accept by grace the beautiful title: child of God. Now that gets me fired up!
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Heather,
This is soooo true! There is no such thing as a super-Christian, just people more focused with time/energy on God. God delights in ALL the Little things we do each and every day.
Just because life is hectic and not totally focused on God, don’t count yourself out. Do what you can when you can as often as you can wherever you can & that will please God!
Amen, sister!
I love this line: It’s not a place to consume, but a place to give. What a great way to view church!
Thanks for sharing and walking in obedience.
Blessings,
Kendra
Don’t you love how God turns things upside-down? When we quit consuming and start giving, we get so much more than we ever did before! Blessings to you, Kendra!
Great insights.
Well said! I found myself in a place where I expected so much from my church and grumbled about it not filling me! Yikes!!! Then I came to understand what you are writing about – I only receive when I give myself to the community and become part of the whole. I have found that same type of group of women and they have enriched my life beyond measure!
I’m so happy for you, Margaret! Experiencing the truth is so much more exciting than just knowing it, isn’t it?
Heather,
“However, we may have to shift our thinking about what the church is. It’s not a place to consume, but a place to give.”
This is so awesome. As we have beem led to change churches in the past, it is easy to get caught up in “what does this church have to offer me and my family?” Maybe we should consider what WE have to offer to the church.
Very good!
Bernice
http://livingthebalancedlife.com/2010/christmas-2010-what-worked-what-didnt/
That is such a cool realization! So often we read books and feel guilty or wonder how we can change. What a blessing to realize that Acts 2 is already in action at your church.
Heather,
I’ve read both you and your husband, met Larry at a writer’s conference a few years ago. I’ve been blessed by your story. I have been a Christian for 26 years, graduated from Seminary, and only spent 8 years actively engaged in a church.
I’ve always loved Our Lord and had an intimate relationship with him. I thought that was the thing – a personal relationship with Christ. But I was wrong, that’s only part. The other part is being a member of his body – as you put it, a member of “one imperfect body of believers”. It has been about community since the 1st century. How did I ever miss that? Thank you for the reminder. God Bless you and yours.
I hate to be the downer here, but there is such thing as a mediocre Christian. The Bible calls them lukewarm and it’s a dangerous place to be.
My husband and I have been challenged by that very man in the last week alone. When I read God’s words and it says to the rich man to sell all his possessions, He meant sell ALL his possessions.
Today, we couldn’t dream of doing such a thing. We don’t really believe God would ask that of us. But what if we’re wrong?
Yes, this is the challenge we are faced with.
Sometimes I worry we try to explain things away because we’re afraid of facing the truth. Could we really do it? Do we really want to? Do we really believe Jesus is Lord of our lives?
Trust me, these are questions I’ve been asking MYSELF a lot lately. I don’t want to be deceived into thinking God would never ask this of me.
I think the point that matters overall is if Jesus is Lord. If He is, we know none of that stuff matters and if/when he asks us to sell it all, we wouldn’t hesitate.
I appreciate the encouraging post, but want to be sure we don’t miss the big picture. Are we living a life that makes us uncomfortable? Are we giving away extra money that would only cause more clutter in our lives?
Let’s not just think on these things. May our hearts be truly challenged to seek out who (or what) we are truly living for. Is it for ourselves?
{Please note, I am totally speaking to myself on all these accounts. My heart has been very challenged and I don’t want anyone else to miss the opportunity for what God is asking of us. All He wants is us. All of us. Are we giving Him that?}
(((Hugs)))!
I love this response, Christin! Thanks for the critical thinking in a gentle manner.
You’re right that we can live out our faith in a mediocre way. My mistake. I was trying to emphasize that we can’t earn our salvation; but my wording really is not precise on that point. (I should have left out that footnote as it requires so much explanation.)
Be careful to not miss the point of the article, though: Radical obedience can be done in and through our local churches. This article does NOT justify lukewarm living; it helps us to recognize false guilt, which is paralyzing, so we can be mobilized to serve.
Oh no no, I didn’t think that your article portrayed justifying lukewarm living at all. I just wanted to point out that there really are 3 levels of Christians, as the Bible states: hot (on fire), cold (not interested), and lukewarm (unsure of what’s important–teetering).
I’m sorry, my response was not meant to attack you! I’m so sorry if it came across that way. I just wanted to extend what you were saying a bit further and the audience of my response was really to all people who call themselves Christians.
I agree, radical obedience can be done in our local churches. In fact, often I think people believe they don’t have enough to give so we give nothing. Imagine, we if all gave what we could, what a difference it would make! 🙂
And sacrifice is NOT easy. If it were, it wouldn’t be sacrifice, right? Thank you for your response 🙂
Thank YOU Christin for sharing your great thoughts here with us. We love that community continues to build us all up, challenge us and still love us at the same time. You’re doing just that, girl, and we appreciate it very much!
~Lisa-Jo
PS I highly recommend Crazy Love–and hope everyone will apply the principles.
P.S. We are offered more than a gold star from Jesus. We are offered the opportunity to be seated on His throne, at His right hand (meaning power & authority)! 🙂
I just wanted to add one more thing to clarify my thoughts:
The issue isn’t being rich or being poor. You can be rich and still be on fire for God (though, the Bible says it’s not all easy). You can be poor and curse God because of your circumstances. The state of our finances isn’t the issue.
The issue is, IS it causing a cloudy mind? Are we so distracted by all our STUFF & MONEY that we can no longer find God, or believe we don’t need anymore of Him?
We can have money and be on fire….but are we? And if we are not, what can we do about it?
This is something really stirring in me and I thank you for letting me kind of sort my thoughts here. 🙂
Heather, thank you for helping us all pause, pray, and ask the heart-questions we need to, especially as a new year starts!
Hmmm…the 2nd person in 2 days to mention the Chan book…..guess it’s going on my 2011 reading list! Good thoughts!
ohh “radical obeidence” I love that term. And I agree. Crazy Love the Francis Chan book changed my life. It is a MUST read
If you’re GONNA be old next year, I’m ANCIENT! 🙂 (But I’ll welcome you with open arms to The Club…and I think you’re gonna like it!).
Reading you here, I can so identify with you; I’m a recovering Super Christian and have come to see I “knew” so much more in my 20s and 30s. Oh, how God humbles the proud and busy to do his Kingdom work….
🙂
“we give up many hours of our time each week; we hang out with people who don’t always fit our idea of enjoyable—and we do all this so we can grow in our faith, so we can help others grow in their faith, to care for those in need, and to draw others to Jesus.”
Wow. This was excellent. I had been struggling with a situation and several times this week God has been speaking through places like your blog. Oh, my attitude sometimes needs a quick tune up.
I have to mention, though, that while Jesus might not give out sticky gold stars, according to Rev 2:28 some overcomer is going to get the morning star!!! : )
I also think it’s worth noting that Jesus didn’t ask everyone to sell all their stuff and give it away. Jesus knew the heart of this young man (whom He loved!) and knew that was what he lacked. He knows our hearts and wants what keeps us from Him and for each of us that’s going to be a different thing… could be food, facebook, our stuff, our jobs, our kids… so many things that can become idols.
So thankful for His mercy.