It is not 'scientific doubt,' not atheism, not pantheism, not agnosticism that in our day and in this land is likely to quench the light of the gospel. It is a proud, sensuous, selfish, luxurious, church-going, hollow-hearted prosperity.


In the United States, "numbers" impress us. We gauge the success of an event by how many people "attend" or "come forward." We measure "churches" by how many "members" they boast. We are "wowed" by big crowds. Jesus questioned the authenticity of this kind of record keeping. According to the account in Luke 8, when a crowd started following Him, Jesus began speaking in parables so that those who WEREN'T genuinely listening, WOULDN'T "get it." When crowds gather today, speakers are extra conscious of communicating in a way that is accessible to everyone. Speakers [today] don't use Jesus' [truth and righteousness and wisdom] to eliminate people who are not sincere seekers.

The fact is... He just wasn't interested in those who fake it.

The American church is a difficult place to fit in if you want to live out New Testament Christianity. The goals of American Christianity are often a "nice marriage," children who "don't swear," and good church attendance. Taking the words of Christ literally and seriously is RARELY considered. That's for the "radicals" who are "unbalanced" and who "go overboard." Most of us want a balanced life that WE control, that is "safe," and does not involve suffering.

Francis Chan, Crazy Love
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Something to consider and think over. I pray that the Lord would help me to have such a heart as to be called one who is "radical" or "going overboard" for His Kingdom!

God Bless
maryjane

This is so true.

Today I finally got around to listening to "Ten Shekels and a Shirt" by Paris Reidhead. It is the same message. Surely God is speaking to His church.

_________________
KLC

Amen MJ, thanks for sharing that. I just might have to buy this crazy fundamentalist wacko book. Those are the only kinds of books I read. Ones written by the unbalanced off-scourings of the world.

I so agree with the first paragraph.

_________________
Jeremiah Dusenberry

Radical faith calls us to live with
reckless abandon for Christ. What
keeps you from living in this way??
Most of the time, it is fear of
letting go and letting GOD.
Radical faith puts self in harm's
way; selfs desires and wants are in
danger. The death to self is a must
to following Christ, and death to
self brings the fullness of anointing
from the LORD. Radical faith proclaims
the gospel of the kingdom. Radical
faith exalts the risen Savior!! Do you
have radical faith ?? Is your love
for Jesus the driving force in your
life??


FRANCIS CHAN

_________________
Martin G. Smith