Complete Consecration

Consecration. Big Word! In fact, it is considered as christianese. Some people may besmirch you as having that "holier-than-thou" attitude. You see, I never make that title up... It is the title of the devotion I just read today. I have this "Hope For Each Day" by Billy Graham... I read it along with my "The Devotional Bible: Experiencing the Heart Of Jesus Edition" by Max Lucado. [ain't it obvious I like Max' books? take note "Max" as if we're close...haha]... After reading the devotion, it dawned on me some truth. In fact, the verse hit me like lightning.

Anyway... I understand, that as Christians, we have to be careful with our actions, with our words...so that we would not be keyed out as "religiously superior" ...and that rather than drawing people to Jesus, We are driving them away because of our "pharisaic" or "pietistic" behavior [ though we know it is not our intention to...but knowing that people come from different background with disparate outlook and varying experiences in life... at their end-- they may look at you as self-righteous]

But then, there are truths that we can never sugarcoat... Jesus in His time name things as it is... like sin as sin..no minor minor sin or major major sin [i just wanna borrow the "major major" or the “minor minor”phrase to make a hyperbole]as some people like to label it. Aside from that, there are many other things that Jesus taught his disciples flat out. Like what? Christian life's goal is to mold ourselves into Christlikeness.

So another equally heavy stuff I pondered from today's devotion is that... Jesus said " Whoever desires to come after Me, let him deny himself..." (Mark 8:34) ... Full surrender. It is non negotiable. And so Billy Graham said "Only surrendered Christians will make an impact on our world." I can't agree more. Lukewarm christians in Revelation 3:16 has a reward from God.

So, because you are lukewarm—neither hot nor cold—I am about to spit you out of my mouth. Rev. 3:16

Reading that brought a lump on my throat. Should I do something about it, other than clearing my throat?The challenge to be God's partner in His work is on [since then] ... and I do not have to be a missionary on a specific mission field coordinated by church or religious organization  [I wanted to be honestly] because the truth is we are missionaries in our own mission field-- at home, at work, even in a specific routinary place we go to everyday... and that we have to do boldly and whole-heartedly.

Let's take the challenge!


Postcript...
There are so many things that God has been confronting me with... By God's grace, I am working on it. Growth is a process... maturity is not a one time deal too... It is progressive until you cease breathing.