I think one of the greatest problems with Christianity today is there are too many Christians and not enough disciples of Jesus. Lip service Christianity does a great disservice to the name of Jesus in our world. What we need are more people willing to forsake everything in order to follow Jesus no matter the cost and with no thought of themselves. Instead, we are inflicted with generations of professing Christians who want nothing to do with a costly faith.
They are willing to identify with Christ only to the point of suffering or persecution. Vast numbers in our churches today profess Jesus on Sunday morning only to leave Him behind on the way out the door. Where is the righteous indignation, the fiery zeal, and the unqualified devotion of the early church?
Are you a disciple or a Christian? The term “Christian” has come to mean you said a prayer to give your life to Christ, and that’s about it. For many, it’s the last time they gave any serious thought to Christianity. How many people saved when they were high school aged or younger have built their lives around Jesus from that moment forward? If all we in my generation who accepted Christ at a young age had devoted ourselves to discipleship, this world would look a lot different. Instead, we left our prayer on the altar and got on with our building our personal kingdoms. Sure, we remembered Jesus but ultimately he lived in the shadows and on the sidelines of our lives.
This breaks my heart. It breaks my heart because I have been part of the problem and only now am trying to be part of the solution. How many millions of believers in Jesus have forsaken Him for the luxuries and entertainment of this world? We spend our money on creature comforts and sequester ourselves behind the walls of homes tucked safely in suburbia. Can you imagine the great characters in the Bible seeking to live such a life? They eagerly abandoned everything for the sake of following Jesus. We are an embarrassing and pitiful remnant of their legacy.
We thirst for the dew of excess instead of for the tears of holiness. What will it take to waken us? What will it take to jolt us from our slumber? The words of Keith Green have echoed in my mind for over thirty years: “The world is sleeping in the dark, That the church just can’t fight, ’cause it’s asleep in the light!”
Are you a disciple or a Christian? Are you someone who has utterly abandoned everything out of love for Jesus, or someone who once said a prayer and is now content to pursue the American Dream? Do you chase after Jesus with a wild recklessness or seek the false comforts and security of this world? Disciples will certainly go to Heaven. Simple “Christians”? I’m not so sure; I am haunted by Jesus stating many would come to Him thinking they belonged but will be turned away (Matthew 7:21-23, Matthew 25:31-46). Don’t take the chance. We’re either all in or left out. Choose Jesus. Choose now.