Why is it the radical faith and obedience to Jesus is criticized so much in the church? The last I checked, we are supposed to die to ourselves and live to Christ. I’m pretty sure the Bible says that we have been crucified in the life we now live we live by faith in the one who died for us. I believe that the Bible also says to be a living daily sacrifice. Doesn’t the scripture also read that we are supposed to keep our minds and hearts set on the things of heaven and not the things of earth? Didn’t Jesus commission his followers to go to the ends of the earth spreading the good news? Aren’t we to walk as he walked?
It’s an inescapable fact that Jesus didn’t sugarcoat what it means to follow him. We are supposed to be all in. We all have a cross to pick up and carry daily. Perhaps the reason why that is met with so much criticism is that complacency and comfort have exceeded conviction and our commission in the hearts and minds of so many. I feel it weighing me down so often as well. I have to fight the urge to just go about living my life, as crazy and hectic as it is, and not put the mission of Jesus at the forefront.
The Bible says that Christ is our life, nothing else. When we see people who actually live like that, we should be motivated to do the same. Paul told people in the first century to follow him as he followed Christ. Was he perfect? Not at all. But he lived sold out for the faith. Jesus was the end all for his purpose in life. That’s what being a Christian should look like. All the times I fall drastically short of this, I draw off of the examples of so many extraordinary men and women of the faith, past and present.
“If then you have been raised with Christ, seek the things that are above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God. Set your minds on things that are above, not on things that are on earth. For you have died, and your life is hidden with Christ in God. When Christ who is your life appears, then you also will appear with him in glory.” Colossians 3:1-4 ESV
Peace in Christ brothers and sisters!
For Common Ground 
I will say that living a life of faith is not easy. You are so very right that complacency and comfort has killed conviction and commission. We never learned about the wilderness and following God wholeheartedly in church but only by listening to those voices that spoke the truth as outsiders to the church. Now, after losing everything in our faith walk with God, we have become a part of that chorus.
We testify to what we have lived which is a life dedicated to following the lead of Jesus regardless of the cost. It has not been easy. The religious hate us because we upset their world. The world hates us because we stand against their lawlessness. It is no exaggeration that this life of faith is very lonely. Few want to give up all to follow Jesus and so very few find the freedom, maturity and intimacy with Jesus that comes when we live a life of faith. it is the saddest thing I think I have ever seen. People hanging desperately to things that erode and decay and fail to invest in what is valuable, relationship with the eternal.
I like your post because you speak the truth. We are not perfect. We have bad days and good days. Thankfully the life of faith isn’t about following a set of rules perfectly but following One who gives us grace and mercy as we make mistakes as long as we keep leaning our entire being on Him in earnest. Each time we have a meltdown or are attacked, we have to stand in faith and realize that our God is far mightier than man’s failings. This takes time but God is patient and He is teaching us patient endurance.
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Amen! Thank you for the words of encouragement. I will pray for you as you walk out your faith and please pray for me as I walk out mine.
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