Crazy Love

1. God's Unfathomable Greatness Demands Our Awe and Worship

God is holy. A lot of people say that whatever you believe about God is fine, so long as you are sincere. But that is comparable to describing your friend in one instance as a three-hundred-pound sumo wrestler and in another as a five-foot-two, ninety-pound gymnast.

God's incomprehensible nature. The vastness of the universe, with its billions of galaxies, and the intricacy of creation, from the complexity of the human body to the diversity of plant and animal life, all point to a Creator of unimaginable power and creativity. This God is not just big, but holy - set apart and utterly unique.

Our appropriate response. In light of God's greatness, our response should be one of awe, worship, and reverence. We must resist the temptation to create a God in our own image or to domesticate Him to fit our preferences. Instead, we should allow the reality of His nature to transform our understanding and approach to life.

Practical ways to cultivate awe:

• Spend time in nature, observing its wonders
• Study scientific discoveries about the universe
• Meditate on Scripture passages describing God's attributes
• Engage in corporate worship that focuses on God's greatness

2. Our Lives Are Fleeting; Live with Eternal Perspective

You could die before you finish reading this chapter. I could die while you're reading it. Today. At any moment.

Life's brevity and uncertainty. Our existence on earth is incredibly short and fragile compared to eternity. This reality should shape how we prioritize our time, resources, and energy. Instead of living as if we have an endless supply of days, we should approach each moment with intentionality and eternal significance in mind.

Shifting our focus. Adopting an eternal perspective means reorienting our lives around what truly matters in light of eternity. This involves:

• Prioritizing relationships over possessions
• Investing in spiritual growth and character development
• Sharing the gospel and making disciples
• Using our resources to advance God's kingdom, not just our own comfort
• Making decisions based on long-term spiritual impact, not just short-term gains

3. God's Love for Us Is Beyond Comprehension

The greatest knowledge we can ever have is knowing God treasures us.

God's inexplicable love. The fact that the holy, all-powerful Creator of the universe loves us personally and intimately is astounding. This love is not based on our performance or worthiness but on God's own character and choice. Understanding and experiencing this love is transformative and foundational to our faith.

Responding to divine love. When we truly grasp God's love for us, it should evoke:

• Deep gratitude and worship
• A desire to know God more intimately
• Confidence in our identity and worth
• Motivation to love others sacrificially
• Freedom from seeking approval and validation from other sources

Practical steps to grow in understanding God's love:

• Meditate on Scripture passages about God's love (e.g., Ephesians 3:14-19, Romans 8:31-39)
• Reflect on ways God has demonstrated His love in your life
• Practice vulnerability with God in prayer, sharing your deepest fears and desires

4. Lukewarm Christianity Is Incompatible with True Faith

To call someone a Christian simply because he does some Christian-y things is giving false comfort to the unsaved.

The danger of casual faith. Lukewarm Christianity, characterized by halfhearted commitment and cultural conformity, is not merely suboptimal - it's incompatible with genuine faith. Jesus' words in Revelation 3:15-16 indicate that this tepid approach to faith is actually repulsive to God.

Marks of lukewarm faith:

• Prioritizing comfort and security over obedience to God
• Compartmentalizing faith rather than allowing it to permeate all areas of life
• Fitting God into our plans rather than aligning our lives with His purposes
• Avoiding risk and sacrifice in our spiritual lives
• Seeking to blend in with culture rather than being distinctively Christ-like

Embracing radical faith involves:

• Wholehearted surrender to God's will
• Willingness to be countercultural for the sake of the gospel
• Prioritizing eternal values over temporal comforts
• Actively pursuing spiritual growth and obedience

5. Genuine Love for God Transforms Our Actions and Priorities

People who are obsessed with Jesus give freely and openly, without censure. Obsessed people love those who hate them and who can never love them back.

Love-driven obedience. True love for God isn't merely an emotion or intellectual assent; it radically alters our behavior and priorities. When we are captivated by God's love and beauty, obedience becomes a natural outflow rather than a burdensome duty.

Characteristics of God-obsessed individuals:

• Generosity that goes beyond cultural norms
• Willingness to love and serve even those who are hostile
• Prioritizing time with God over other activities
• Making decisions based on spiritual rather than material considerations
• Boldness in sharing faith, even at personal cost

Practical steps to cultivate love for God:

• Regular time in Scripture and prayer
• Practicing gratitude for God's blessings
• Serving others as an expression of love for God
• Intentionally choosing obedience in challenging situations

6. Radical Generosity and Sacrifice Are Normal for Christ-Followers

Do not assume you are good soil.

Challenging cultural norms. The biblical call to generosity and sacrifice often stands in stark contrast to the values of comfort and accumulation promoted by society. Followers of Christ are called to a radically different approach to possessions and resources.

Areas of sacrificial living:

• Finances: Giving beyond cultural expectations of tithing
• Time: Prioritizing service and ministry over leisure
• Comfort: Willingness to embrace discomfort for the sake of others
• Career: Making vocational choices based on kingdom impact rather than personal advancement
• Relationships: Investing in those who can't repay us

Practical steps toward radical generosity:

• Audit your spending and identify areas to reduce for the sake of giving
• Commit to regular service in your local community
• Consider downsizing your lifestyle to free up resources for ministry
• Pray for opportunities to bless those who can't repay you

7. Obsession with Jesus Leads to a Countercultural Lifestyle

A person who is obsessed thinks about heaven frequently. Obsessed people orient their lives around eternity; they are not fixed only on what is here in front of them.

Reorienting life around Christ. True devotion to Jesus inevitably leads to a lifestyle that often appears strange or even foolish to the surrounding culture. This "obsession" with Christ affects every aspect of life, from daily habits to major life decisions.

Characteristics of Christ-obsessed living:

• Prioritizing eternal values over temporal gains
• Willingness to take risks for the sake of the gospel
• Pursuing simplicity and contentment rather than accumulation
• Investing deeply in relationships, especially with those in need
• Regular engagement in spiritual disciplines

Practical ways to cultivate Christ-obsession:

• Daily meditation on Scripture and prayer
• Regular fasting from comforts to focus on spiritual realities
• Intentional community with other committed believers
• Periodic "life audits" to evaluate alignment with biblical priorities

8. Real-Life Examples Inspire Extraordinary Faith and Service

People who sacrifice for others will tell you that seasons of giving are the most rewarding of their lives.

The power of testimony. Stories of individuals who have lived out radical faith serve as powerful inspiration and challenge our often-comfortable Christianity. These examples demonstrate that extraordinary devotion to Christ is not reserved for a select few but is possible for all believers.

Lessons from faith heroes:

• Willingness to leave comfort for the sake of ministry (e.g., Jamie Lang adopting in Tanzania)
• Lifelong commitment to serving the marginalized (e.g., Nathan Barlow in Ethiopia)
• Creative approaches to loving neighbors (e.g., Rings feeding the homeless)
• Trusting God for provision in seemingly impossible situations (e.g., George Mueller's orphanages)

Applying inspiration to our lives:

• Identify one aspect of these stories that challenges you most
• Pray for opportunities to step out in faith in a similar way
• Connect with ministries or individuals doing work that inspires you
• Share these stories with others to spread the vision of radical faith

9. Embrace Discomfort and Risk for the Sake of the Gospel

God doesn't call us to be comfortable. He calls us to trust Him so completely that we are unafraid to put ourselves in situations where we will be in trouble if He doesn't come through.

Faith requires action. True faith in God often leads us into situations that are uncomfortable, risky, or even seemingly impossible from a human perspective. This willingness to step out in faith is essential for experiencing God's power and seeing His kingdom advance.

Areas to embrace risk:

• Vocational choices: Being open to God's call, even if it means leaving a secure job
• Financial decisions: Generous giving that stretches our faith
• Relationships: Engaging with people different from us or even hostile to our faith
• Ministry: Stepping into roles or situations beyond our perceived abilities

Practical steps to embrace risk:

• Identify areas where comfort or fear are holding you back
• Start with small steps of faith outside your comfort zone
• Surround yourself with others who encourage faith-filled risk-taking
• Regularly reflect on past experiences of God's faithfulness

10. Continually Examine Your Life and Motives in Light of Scripture

Do you really believe that compared to God, "all the peoples of the earth are regarded as nothing," including you?

Ongoing self-reflection. The Christian life requires constant examination of our hearts, motives, and actions in light of biblical truth. This process helps us identify areas of compromise, lukewarmness, or misaligned priorities.

Key areas for self-examination:

• Love for God: Is He truly our highest priority and deepest affection?
• Love for others: Are we actively serving and sacrificing for those around us?
• Use of resources: Do our spending and giving patterns reflect biblical values?
• Time management: Are we investing our days in what matters eternally?
• Motives: Are we seeking God's glory or our own comfort and recognition?

Practical tools for self-examination:

• Regular times of silent reflection and prayer
• Journaling to track spiritual growth and challenges
• Accountability relationships with mature believers
• Periodic fasting to sharpen spiritual sensitivity
• Annual "life audit" to evaluate alignment with biblical priorities

Last updated: September 9, 2024