Revealing....

For I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worth comparing with the glory that is to be revealed to us. For the creation waits with eager longing for the revealing of the sons of God. For the creation was subjected to futility, not willingly, but because of him who subjected it, in hope that the creation itself will be set free from its bondage to corruption and obtain the freedom of the glory of the children of God. Romans 8:18-21 (ESV)

What is that gonna be like? I want to part of this so bad!! To be one who is revealed as a son of God, and to know the glory that is going to be revealed to us. "For the creation waits with eager longing" why does it seem like we have to work so hard at being a christian? When we "witness" we use our latest technique or style from the newest revivalist. We are trying to hard. Why has being a christian been reduced to systems and functions? We have made following Christ another task we have in our lives, a duty. Paul said "creation waits with eager longing", we don't have to force it or push it. We just have to be, it's truly Christ in us not us in us and Christ or the Holy Spirit giving us a hand. You see some in the church have "figured out" the way to minister and bring people into the Kingdom of God. You can find it in many books and manuals, it's in 5 steps to witness, and cards we can hand out in a way for us to feel like we made a difference. Can I get an amen?!

It's not about numbers, making us feel good, adding people to our church so we "look" like we are doing something constructive. It's about living like Christ in everything we do, re-presenting Christ to this world. They desire it, even if they don't know it yet. Let's do away with structures and systems of ministering to God that has been ineffective and get a hold of the untapped power that lies in us. Let Him reveal it to you, and in turn His glory will be revealed to this world. Live the revival.

Christian Extremists??

The other day I was flipping through the channels on television and I came across a program that astonished me. It was four middle-aged or more women sitting around a table, drinking coffee, and discussing today's hot topics, current events, culture, etc. As the show perked my curiosity I saw how these women argued their opinions and world views on certain topics, and what really made me start to think was when they started discussing religion specifically Islam. They were discussing how it is a peaceful religion and how Christianity is very similar too it, and then the elder of the women said that it was a stained religion because of the radicals or extremists.

Now hearing there discussion and arguments after time I just got fed up with it and changed the channel. But through all of that I started to think about religions and their 'Extremists". Now I don't want to argue basic foundations of any other religion and why or how they are wrong compared to Christianity, that's not why I am writing this. I really started to think of what it would be like if there were "Christian Extremists"? What would he/she look like? How would they act or treat others? How would they live their life compared to other Christians?

Now being in the Church and different Christ circles for some time I have heard the term radical used in many different ways. Mostly in the negative, and being derogatory towards a person or groups of people. I have seen someone who raises their hands in worship being called a radical, I have seen people out street witnessing being called radical. I have seen young people on fire for God and all they want it to touch His heart and be revival squashed because "they are to radical". I have driven by the homeless and broken and not even blinked an eye because I didn't want to be to "radical".

I had a student the other day tell one of their peers that they weren't being a "good Christian" because of how they were treating a fellow believer. But is there such thing as a good Christian or a bad one? Is there really such a thing as being a "Christian Extremist", When Christ walked this earth in the flesh the religious folk called Him a radical and an extremist. But He was just being, doing as He saw the Father doing. I would suggest to you that being labeled radical or extreme or anything else is because you are ALIVE and it is so far beyond the imagination of someone who has been blinded by religiosity. Because I realized there is no such thing as a "Christian Extremist", or a good/bad one.

Either you are or you aren't, doesn't leave much gray area. I would wear the label Extremist proudly if meant really LIVING for God and living like Christ did!!! Just a thought.....