Tuesday, 20 November 2012

Jesus Obsession

This is paraphrased and taken from ideas of Chapter 8 of Crazy Love by Francis Chan.  It's a great reflection I think...

--------------------------------------

People who are obsessed with Jesus give freely and openly, without censure.  Obsessed people love those who hate them and who can never love them back.  They aren't consumed with their personal safety and comfort above all else.  Obsessed people care more about God’s kingdom coming to this earth than their own lives being shielded from pain or distress.  They live lives that connect them with the poor in some way or another.  Obsessed people believe that Jesus talked about money and the poor so often because it was really important to Him.

Obsessed people are more concerned with obeying God than doing what is expected or fulfilling the status quo.  A person who is obsessed with Jesus will do things that don’t always make sense in terms of success or wealth on this earth… They know that the sin of pride is always a battle.  Obsessed people know that you can never be ‘humble enough,’ and so they seek to make themselves less known and Christ more known.

People who are obsessed with Jesus do not consider service a burden.  Obsessed people take joy in loving God by loving His people. They are known as givers, not takers.  They genuinely think that others matter as much as they do, and they are particularly aware of those who are poor around the world.  They think about heaven frequently.  Obsessed people orient their lives around eternity; they are not fixed only on what is here in front of them.

A person who is obsessed is characterised by committed, settled, passionate love for God, above and before every other thing and every other being.

People who are obsessed are raw with God; they do not attempt to mask the ugliness of their sins or their failures.  Obsessed people don’t put it on for God; He is their safe place, where they can be at peace. They have an intimate relationship with Jesus.  They are nourished by God’s Word throughout the day because they know that forty minutes on Sunday is not enough to sustain them for a whole week, especially when they will encounter so many distractions and alternative messages. They are more concerned with their character than comfort.  Obsessed people know that true joy doesn't depend on circumstances or environment; it is a gift that must be chosen and cultivated, a gift that ultimately comes from God.

A person who is obsessed with Jesus knows that the best thing he or she can do is be faithful to their Saviour in every aspect of their life.

No comments:

Twitter Facebook Favorites

 
Powered by Blogger | Printable Coupons