I Don't Want to be a Casual Christian

Is your life comfortable? If you have made the choice to follow Jesus, did your life change in anyway? Has it cost you anything to follow Jesus? Or has it been pretty easy? Have you thought about this much? I think about it all the time.
With these thoughts in mind, I want you read about a man who really wanted to see Jesus. He was willing to do whatever it took to see Him. You will probably remember the story as you dig into it.

Luke 19:1-10: He entered Jericho and was passing through. 2 And there was a man called by the name of Zaccheus; he was a chief tax collector and he was rich. 3 Zaccheus was trying to see who Jesus was, and was unable because of the crowd, for he was small in stature. 4 So he ran on ahead and climbed up into a sycamore tree in order to see Him, for He was about to pass through that way. 5 When Jesus came to the place, He looked up and said to him, “Zaccheus, hurry and come down, for today I must stay at your house.” 6 And he hurried and came down and received Him gladly. 7 When they saw it, they all began to grumble, saying, “He has gone to be the guest of a man who is a sinner.” 8 Zaccheus stopped and said to the Lord, “Behold, Lord, half of my possessions I will give to the poor, and if I have defrauded anyone of anything, I will give back four times as much.” 9 And Jesus said to him, “Today salvation has come to this house, because he, too, is a son of Abraham. 10 For the Son of Man has come to seek and to save that which was lost.”

Have you ever been like Zaccheus? Totally committed to getting to Jesus no matter what. Has your life changed since you became a Christian? Or are you a lot like those who grumbled at Jesus being the guest at a sinner’s house? I love that Jesus wasn’t concerned about the grumblers. He went where He was needed most. He loves us where we are at, but He makes it clear to us just like He did with Zaccheus, we cannot keep living in our old way of life. We must move forward.
It’s a lot to think about and process, but we must address it! Know that being a Christian is costly. We are called to be counter cultural as Christians. It will get uncomfortable but it’s so worth it!
One of my favorite songs came up on my play list the other day. I want to share the lyrics with you.

Casual Christian by Degarmo & Key          
It's more than a wish, more than a daydream
It's more than just a passing whim
Yes, I've said this all before,
A thousand times or more,
I don't want to waste my life
In chains of sin
I don't wanna be, I don't wanna be
A casual Christian
I don't wanna live, I don't wanna live
A lukewarm life
Cause I wanna light up the night
With an everlasting light
I don't wanna live a casual Christian life
This life is filled with strong distractions
One pulls from the left, one from the right
I've already made up my mind, I'm gonna leave this world behind
I'm gonna make my life a living sacrifice

Are you willing to make your life a living sacrifice? Don’t let the distractions pull you away from God! Don’t live a lukewarm life.
I will echo D&K’s words. I don’t want to live a casual Christian life! I have already made up my mind, I’m going to live my life for Jesus and leave the sins and desires of this world behind.                                      Will you join me???
                          Faithfully following Jesus,
                                                                                Mike
P.S. Here is a link to a quick message from Francis Chan that is well worth your time to watch: https://youtu.be/oSw7-Vbm3bU