As I have said, I am reading a lot. Well- I am always reading a lot, but what is different lately is that everything I am reading is God-glorifying. It's all about breaking out of the conventional faith about 95% of us settle for and going somewhere deeper, more radical, more life altering. In short- it's about taking it to the final level of commitment.
The most recent work I am pondering is Craig Groeschel's book entitled "The Christian Atheist". Now there is an intriguing title. Short little read but packed full of powerful ideas. I read it in less than 2 days. Groeschel, though an evangelical minister, describes himself and a recovering Christian Atheist. He says that Christian Atheists are those who claim to know Christ, but live as if He doesn't exist. The book is about how he was able to identify this problem within himself, how he sought after God to change him, and the difference between how he used to live and how he now lives his life today. If you can't see yourself in this book it is because you have no eyes.
In the final pages of the book Groesschel describes 3 lines that Christians must consider their position in relationship to. The First Line is where most people are. They believe in God but only as kind of a master candy dispenser in the sky. They only consult Him when they need something. As long as the candy is being dispensed according to their needs/demands, that is all the matters. God is an after thought in their lives if they ever think of Him at all. The Second Line involves a life of comfortable service. Eventually some first liners will cross over into the second line. These are folks who are mainly regular church goers. They are in church frequently, serving when called upon, involved in things. They give of their time and resources, but they retain control. They won't sacrifice anything for their faith. They will contribute, but only to a certain point. Because hey- let's be reasonable- God can't expect everything, right? The Third Line involves total abandonment and surrender to God. People who cross this line truly live for Christ. They are His. They go where He asks them, do what He calls them to do, live lives of sacrifice for the Gospel. In short- they are fully surrendered. God is in control, and they are just along for the ride. Obviously, few people ever make it across the third line. Most Americans are line one Christians. Fewer still are in the line two group, and no one ever crosses the third line without first coming to the conclusion that the only life worth living involves complete abandonment of the self in order to serve Christ. This is barely possible in the self seeking, self serving culture we live in. Think for a moment of how many people you actually know who are third line Christians. Have you ever know one? I have read about such people, but I have actually known only one or two. I know one such person right now and the impact in my life has been huge. Just being around someone living this way makes you want to reconsider everything in your own life.
So I have pretty much been a line two Christian for a very long time now. It's fairly easy to identify yourself in the above examples, isn't it? If you are honest you won't have a problem! But there is something in me that is hungering for more. I am restless. I want so much more from this journey. I know that the only thing that can satisfy is a live lived fully surrendered. I know that there is nothing in this world that can provide lasting peace and joy regardless of the circumstances other than a full blown line three commitment. So this is what I am working on. Being able to cross that final line. It's not an instantaneous decision to take the plunge, but rather more like a process of slow renovation. Once the work is done, the crossing will feel effortless. I await that day with great anticipation and joy. Think about joining me where I am headed- across the third line..... Shalom!
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