Is it radical or is it our duty?

We were in a study the other day with some friends of mine.  After some discussion, we came to the conclusion that the idea of singing lyrics to God that we don't fully mean or believe is like singing empty praise.  This was a revelation to most in the group but someone, I don't remember who, mentioned that we can't actually ever mean everything we sing/say.  Because "That stuff is like really radical and out there..." right?

I often find moments of small reflection are best found in those quiet moments when I can slip away and think to myself in the shower or laying awake in bed.  And its in these moments, that it haunts me to think that so many today believe lies like this.... That Jesus, his disciples, and some elite few(i.e. missionaries, pastors, monks, etc) are radical followers that were called to live that way, but we are happy in applying God to OUR lives not visa-verse ("We are settling for a Christianity that revolves around catering to ourselves when the central message of Christianity is actually about abandoning ourselves." -Quote from the book Radical by David Platt). All to often once we reach the age of adult-hood we abandon the desires of our youth to actually please God.  We start to apply God and his message to our lives like lotion that protects us from the occasion hellfire of sin or misfortune.  We live to the fulfillment of the American Dream instead of understanding the call to give EVERYTHING and be radical.

Often I enjoy the words of "It is well with my soul" the classic hymn, because:

1. I know the story behind it.  It's about a man who after the tragic deaths of his children, wrote these words of comfort and praise for a Divine Being of greater understanding than us in hopes that we would be united again someday.
2. And sing them that I may joyfully with every bone in my being give of myself any and every request my Father makes of me.  So yes I mean those words when they reach my lips.

 So I really wanted to (re)view what it means "to abandon it all for the sake of the call".

• Love
• Love God first and foremost above family and wealth.
• See Matthew 10:37, Luke 16:13
• Love everyone even your enemies and do good towards them.
• See Luke 6:35
• Love is self evident/reveals Christ to others
• See John 13:35
• Love commands obedience to God
• See John 14:24
• Love MUST be sincere
• See Romans 12:9
• To love is to forgive
• See Romans 13:8
• Those who love God will be known by him.
• See 1 Corinthians 8:3
• Whatever you do, do it in love.
• See 1 Corinthians 13:1-3, 1 Corinthians 16:14
• Giving
•  When you give, do it in secret.
• See Matthew 6:1-4
• Everything isn't too much for God to ask of you...
• See Mark 10:21 *note the red lettering
• Share everything with those in need
• See Acts 4:32
• Joy
• Be joyful through trials.
• See Romans 12:12, James 1:2
• Joy comes from the Holy Spirit.
• See Romans 15:13
• Prayer
• Pray for your enemies.
• See Matthew 5:44
• Pray to God, not for show.
• See Matthew 6:6-8
• Believe what you pray for.
• See Mark 11:24
• Prayer can accomplish the supernatural.
• See Acts 4:31
• The Holy Spirit prays for us.
• See Romans 8:26
• Be faithful/devoted in/to prayer.
• See Romans 12:12, Colossians 4:2
• Spread the News
• To make disciples and to GO
• See Matthew 28:19-20
• Suffering
• You will have it, but have heart in that.
• See John 16:33
• Suffering produces hope, perseverance, and character
• See Romans 5:3-4
• It's for your glory.
• See Ephesians 3:13
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