As a church, I’m afraid we’ve done ourselves a disservice around what it means to be a Christ follower.  There is a level of commitment required (not suggested) that says our love for God compels us to give to the poor (maybe everything we have), go and preach (maybe to the ends of the earth), and sacrifice everything (maybe even our lives).

It is a radical, complete, live transforming commitment.  And it comes with a warning.  A warning that we don’t hear preached very much in church.  It occurs in a couple of places, for now, take a look at Hebrews 10:26-31.  That passage warns us that if we (those that have knowledge of the truth) keep on sinning, we should expect nothing less than judgment and raging fire.  And a final warning in verse 31 that “It is a dreadful thing to fall into the hands of the living God.”  Strong words.

Most of our thoughts around being a Christ follower center on how much God loves us.  God does love us, more than we can fathom.  What we tend to gloss over is what happens as a result of God’s love in our lives.  The result is faith.  And action (deeds).  And obedience.  Not one or the other.  All.  Faith without works is dead.  Christ says clearly and often in the gospels – “If you love me, keep my commandments.”

When a life has become completely transformed by Christ and the Holy Spirit, and when our minds have been renewed, faith, actions, and obedience become second nature.  The world’s hold on us is vanquished, death’s hold on us is severed, and we are new creations.

There is no middle ground.  The call to Christ is a call to come and die.  Come and die to self, die to this world, and find life everlasting.

Grace and peace.  Know Him, make Him known.