Go all out

I pretty much know nothing about Tim Tebow except that he's a football player and a Christian, and that the media or people in general don't like him because of that, because he is so open about being a Christian or something. I've heard people say ,"All they talk about is christian stuff" or "You know, they're one of those 'super christians' who go all out and try to save the world" in a tone that suggests they're ridiculous for acting that way. I've been made fun of or told that I have virgin ears, I'm a goody-goody, and that I'm too closed-minded for following the Bible instesad of the world. I've been asked why I would only marry a strong Christian and no one else. But let me tell you, there are not enough people in the world who are bold in their faith, in the way the live their lives, in their following Jesus. There ARE people who are killed and tortured for being a Christian in other countries - doesn't that say something? Maybe in America it's crazy to post too much Christian stuff on our facebook or talk about it too much, but there are people who die for it in other countries.

So what's up with some of those people? The ones who die for it? The ones that are "too Christian"? Why do the spend thousands of dollars to go overseas to serve and spread the word about Jesus? Who would give away clothes they like and money they've earned so that people could get out of sex trade in Atlanta or have food in the middle of nowhere in Kenya? Why is it such a big deal, can't you just believe Jesus exists and you're "good to go?" Ticket into heaven - check. Right?

Let me tell you. Following God, not just believeing He exists, should be everything to a Christian. It should not be an afterthought, in second place, when it's convenient, or when it's Sunday. God did not call us to live a life based on fitting in with the culture's standards or getting the coolest stuff. The people who truly followed Jesus in the bible left their jobs and their families to follow Him. In the Old Testament people did the same. Following God is not a one time decision and then you've got a ticket into heaven. It is a relationship with God.

James 2: 14-24
¹⁴ What good is it, my brothers and sisters, if someone claims to have faith but has no deeds? Can such faith save them? ¹⁵ Suppose a brother or a sister is without clothes and daily food. ¹⁶ If one of you says to them, “Go in peace; keep warm and well fed,” but does nothing about their physical needs, what good is it? ¹⁷ In the same way, faith by itself, if it is not accompanied by action, is dead.
¹⁸ But someone will say, “You have faith; I have deeds.”

Show me your faith without deeds, and I will show you my faith by my deeds. ¹⁹ You believe that there is one God. Good! Even the demons believe that—and shudder.

²⁰ You foolish person, do you want evidence that faith without deeds is useless? ²¹ Was not our father Abraham considered righteous for what he did when he offered his son Isaac on the altar? ²² You see that his faith and his actions were working together, and his faith was made complete by what he did. ²³ And the scripture was fulfilled that says, “Abraham believed God, and it was credited to him as righteousness,”and he was called God’s friend. ²⁴ You see that a person is considered righteous by what they do and not by faith alone.

Our actions or good deeds are not what gets us into heaven or gets us on God's "good side," but because of our relationship with God our actions reflect that. When you love a friend, you go out of your way to do things for them or spend time with them. Same with spouses or family members. Same with God. So if you're not doing those things, chances are you're not aware of God's deep love for you. Plus He asks us to do those things in the bible. He says to feed the hungry, clothe the naked, go all over the world to spread the good news of God. "Go into all the world and preach the good news to all creation." Jesus said this as one of the last things he said on earth (Mark 16:15).

There are people who "over-do it" in their Christian walk because it is SO IMPORTANT. There is an awesome, all powerful God who created everything that exists, who loves us, and who sent Jesus into the world to DIE for us and all our sins so that we could one day go to heaven instead of Hell. And oh yes, that's pretty important too. Heaven and hell. It can be talked about too much, but also too little. But it's a true thing. And when you realize it, it's a huge thing. It's not God "sending" people to Hell, it's people chosing to not go to heaven...which in turn is them going to hell by their own choice. Quite frankly it doesn't matter if you understand it or agree with it...it's the way it is. It's a fact, not just an opinion or a belief. And the only way to heaven is Jesus. John 14:6 - "Jesus answered, 'I am the way, the truth, the life. NO ONE comes to the Father except through me.'" (Emphisis added was mine.) 1 John 5:11-12, "And this is the testimony: God has given us eternal life, and this life is in his Son. He who has the Son has life; he who does not have the Son of God does not have life." 

When I get to heaven and see that people I knew on earth went to Hell, I don't want to think, "Man, I didn't tell them enough. I didn't speak up." I want to at least feel I did what I could to express the urgency and the beauty of the situation.

And if you are a "Christmas-Easter Christian" - don't be. Your twice a year attendance does nothing really. I KNOW that it's hard to go to church sometimes. It's a day you could sleep in, do other stuff, etc. There are some crazy people at churches, there are annoying people, there are hypocrytes (yep, but they're everywhere in life), there is drama, there are disagreements, there are times when you don't get something out of it, there are times when people are fake. You might have to work on Sundays, or do school work or travel. Going to church is only the start though. Bible studies are important. Serving is important. And then, wherever you are in life, you should be a Christian right there. Through all the difficulties of not having enough time or whatever your hang up about church is, because I have my own as well, it is still so important because that is where we learn, grow, and are encouraged by others. It's doing what God asked us too as well - worship Him and serve others.