In the beginning of this chapter we are asked with one of the most commonly asked questions yet one of the most challenging ones: “Do contemporary Christians bring the same passion to their hope of redemption as people in the Bible did?”
Jesus once challenged his disciples that the Kingdom of God is like a pearl hidden in a field, and when someone found out about it, he sold everything to obtain that field. That is was our passion for the Kingdom of Heaven is suppose to look like! Are we willing to give up everything for the sake of the call? There is no middle ground. In Revelation Jesus tells us that those who are lukewarm makes him want to throw up! Our call is to be on fire for God.
Plantinga said, “God’s Kingdom has always sounded like good news for people whose lives are bad news.” I find this so incredibly true. That is why Jesus said that it is so difficult for a rich man to enter his kingdom, because they already have everything they need; well, except the most important one.
I think it is safe for me to assume that no one really views himself as a rich man. Because there are so many people who are richer than us, we don’t see ourselves as rich. But in reality, we really are rich. If we compare ourselves with the number people who are poorer than us, we are so rich! We have everything we need. We always have food at our table, water, a place to sleep… These are all such blessings, but our stable, secure situation can be a handicap for us to be dependent on God and be excited about his Kingdom. Plantinga says:
“When our earthly kingdom have had a good year, we don’t necessarily long for the kingdom of God to break in. We like our own setup just fine.”
I guess what this means for us is that we have to challenge ourselves and get ourselves into situations where we really have to depend on God. I don’t know how exactly this would look like, but I think it will be different for each person. We have to step out of our comfort zone, and I’m sure each of us, with our own personal fears and discomforts, know what that means. We have to step out and see how bad this world really needs God’s kingdom.
I agree with the part that you say that we have to give up everything we have and be passionate to serve God. I think that is why everyone struggles with defining what God really wants from their lives. Or maybe we all know what God wants but we just don't want to give up our good, comfortable lives.. and that's why we keep wondering is this really what God wants from me???
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