Having nearly died from cancer last year, I really want to live out my Christian faith in 2010 and beyond. But what does that mean? I've read about five books in the last few months that hit on this topic from a Biblical basis and Crazy Love gives a great foundation in answer to those questions.
Francis Chan is pastor of Cornerstone Church in California and does a good job of "clean" writing that's not too heavy on theology but also doesn't approach it in a self-help tone, either. His attempt is to get Christians to "break free from the status quo."
Lately, I'll sit in church sometimes and wonder, Are people really living out what the Bible says? I know I wasn't for many years. Chan has early chapters on what it means to be lukewarm and giving your leftovers to God.
But, to his credit, he doesn't want people to live our their Christian lives based only on a sense of duty or out of fear.
"My fear in writing the previous chapter is that it only evokes in you fear and guilt. Personal experience has taught me that actions driven by fear and guilt are not an antidote to lukewarm, selfish, comfortable living."
So where does the source of living out your Christian faith come from? Chan says that are actions should be driven by our love for God, since he loves us. Then, that love transfers to others.
He spends the last few chapters explaining how if we surrender our lives completely to God, then we have a fulfilled life. Most don't really want to make that step of surrender but play it safe, giving when it's comfortable, helping a little.
"Christians today like to play it safe," Chan writes. "We want to put ourselves in situations where we are safe 'even if there is no God.' But if we truly desire to please God, we cannot live that way. We have to do things that cost us during our life on Earth but will be more than worth it in eternity."
Well written book, easy to understand and with Bible verses to back up what he's saying. Highly recommended.
