It
is apparent to many people today that we live in a nation satisfied by
“Convenient Christianity.” Most of the
Church is content to be as little engaged in the Great Commission as possible,
“Please don't ask me to do too much. I
just want to come to church, see my friends, hear a message that doesn't ask
too much of me, and do it all over again next Sunday.”
Several
years ago, I read an article by Elizabeth Elliot describing her passionate
pursuit of Jesus, and the radical desire that both she and her husband Jim had
to see the fulfillment of the Great Commission. She reflected on their trips to college
campuses trying to stir up young people to join them and go to the nations.
They
talked about their mission heroes, like Amy Carmichael and others, that had
this radical passion to follow Jesus to the ends of the earth. And yes, it included the acknowledgement that
it might mean giving up one's life for Christ. Of course, Jim Elliot, Nate Saint and others
gave their lives for Jesus in Ecuador.
I
spent some time thinking about some of the young people I know who are
traveling to the mission field either long or short term, and about their
radical commitment and passion to take the world back from Satan and win it for
Jesus Christ.
At
what price? It will include some
suffering, some loss, and yes, a lot of passion. I think of the words of the Apostle Paul to
the Philippians where he says, “I consider everything a loss compared to the
surpassing greatness of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord, for whose sake I have
lost all things. I consider them rubbish
that I may gain Christ…” (Philippians 3:8) He was talking about his personal, passionate
pursuit of Jesus. But then later in
vs.17 he said, “Join with others in following my example, brothers, and take
note of those who live according to the pattern we gave you.”
Will
you follow his example today? Are you
willing to make Jesus your “passionate pursuit?” The words of Jim Elliot still
ring out clearly a heart of passion, “He is no fool who gives what he cannot
keep to gain what he cannot lose.”
What
will you give? You may think you can't
afford to give much, but you must know that you can't keep it forever anyway. So, give it away for Jesus!
If you would like to know more about the work
that VMI does check out our website HERE.
Please prayerfully consider giving to support the work we are involved in India, Haiti, and the US. Click here to GIVE.
Please prayerfully consider giving to support the work we are involved in India, Haiti, and the US. Click here to GIVE.
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