Let There Be __________

It has been nearly sixty years since I made a commitment to Christ. I was about six years old and in spite of my youth, I was deeply moved. I am sure fear played a part in my promise to God, and as I grew, I grew away from that commitment. It took twenty one years for me to come to my senses. The problem is always with me, but I see a flaw in the conversion methods employed by the church for at least as long as I have lived. The church has presented salvation as an event more than a process. We have made the event the most significant part of a process that takes ones entire life.

In order to unpack this new concept, I made a distinction between believers and disciples. The believers have responded to the, "Come to me" command, while the disciples have gone on to the "Place my yoke over your shoulders" command. The reason so few become disciples is because there is no enforcement by God. It is a choice you must make on your own. No one can tame their corrupt nature without the yoke over their shoulders. So, I saw my life as being lived on the north side of the yoke, or being surrendered to Jesus on the south side. On the north side I can live my life my way and still be a believer. I can give God a mock holiness and a weak commitment with the approval of others. This way of life promotes what I refer to as Christian Manic Depression. The highs are great but short on duration. The valleys in between the mountain peaks are long and always bring me back to, "learn more, do more, and pray more. The alternative on the north side is worldly indulgence, which brings me back to, learn more, do more, and pray more. The beat goes on.

I would like to explore life on the south side of the yoke. This book is arranged to reflect truth and light in regard to being a disciple. Then Jesus said to his disciples, “Those who want to come with me must say no to the things they want, pick up their crosses, and follow me.

This threefold directive is the field guide for disciples. Every society throughout history has had their own struggle in regard to living the Way, and the Truth. I refer to ours as cultural intoxication. It is given power through affluence. Affluence chokes the real life and promotes the growth of weeds in our gardens. The disease of affluence is pandemic. Unlike all other diseases its symptoms are highly desired. Those that are not infected are looked down on by others. No one is seeking treatment. The amazing thing about this disease is that you can't catch it like a cold. You must be deliberate and tenacious in order to be infected. Then after your infection, you spend the rest of your life trying to avoid being cured.

I am not railing against success or wealth. It is the insidious way that affluence works to degrade our love for Jesus. It divides our loyalty, diverts our attention, and links us to the culture in an inappropriate way considering we are married to another. We will not be looking for His appearing if we are looking at what we have as well as what we want to have. His appearing is called, "The Blessed Hope of the church" It will divide people into three categories: those who live their lives with anticipation of his appearing, those who should be looking for him but will be ashamed at his appearance, and those who despise him.