Eternity is now in Flight

A guy in the church handed me another book that he says is a "must read". It may be a must read but at four hundred pages it won't be an easy read. It's giving me the business right off the bat - so I know it's going to challenge previously held beliefs. I hope it does, that's just what I need. Here is a few paragraphs

"My hope is to gain a fresh hearing for Jesus, especially among those who believe they already understand him. In his case, quite frankly, presumed familiarity has led to unfamiliarity, unfamiliarity has led to contempt, and contempt has led to a profound ignorance."

I had to bust out the dictionary (dictionary.com) to help me understand that a little better so I'll hook you up with some free definitions.

"My hope is to gain a fresh (new; not previously known) hearing for Jesus, especially among those who believe they already understand him. In his case, quite frankly, presumed (to take for granted, assume, or suppose) familiarity (thorough knowledge or mastery of a thing, subject, etc.) has led to unfamiliarity, unfamiliarity has led to contempt (willful disobedience to or open disrespect), and contempt has led to profound ignorance."

Here is another -

"More than any other single thing, in any case, the practical irrelevance of actual obedience to Christ accounts for the weakened effect of Christianity in the world today, with its increasing tendency to emphasize political and social action as the primary way to serve God."

Growing up in the "Bible belt" was a blessing. However, my claim to Christianity met little, if any, resistance among my peers. Living in one of the most unchurched parts of the country, on the other hand, has opened my eyes to a strong distaste for Christ by many many people. Moreover, many people consider the faith a joke. Literally. I certainly had a hard time with this for a while and on many occasions found myself fuming with all kinds of bitter feelings when I would overhear blatant disregard for the faith. Thankfully I learned that kicking people in the shins is not something God needs me to do in order to defend him, in fact, he doesn't need defending at all, He can not be any more or any less than He already is, regardless of people presumptions about him. Nevertheless, I cant' help but sympathize with the non-believers out here; they are only basing their assumptions on what they have witnessed to be others claims of Christianity. And if Christians don't need to follow, obey, and live by the teachings of Christ in order to "make it" in life, then maybe their right, it sounds like a joke to me too.

Look at this -

"However, actual discipleship or apprenticeship to Jesus is, in our day, no longer thought of as in any way essential to faith in him. It is regarded as a costly option, a spiritual luxury, or possibly even an evasion. Why bother with discipleship, it is widely thought, or, for that matter, with a conversational relationship with God? Let us get on with what we have to do."

And one more -

"This third book, then, presents discipleship to Jesus as the very heart of the gospel. The really good news for humanity is that Jesus is now taking students in the master class of life. The eternal life that begins with confidence in Jesus is a life in his present kingdom, now on earth and available to all. So the message of and about him is specifically a gospel for our life now, not just for dying. It is about living now as his apprentice in kingdom living, not just as a consumer of his merits. Our future, however far we look, is a natural extension of the faith by which we live now and the life in which we now participate. Eternity is now in flight and we with it, like it or not."

A few months ago on a Sunday night when we were studying John, our Pastor said, "when you take that initial step of faith to follow Christ, your eternity begins NOW." When I heard that, I about fell out of my chair. I had never heard anyone say that. I had never thought of my eternity like that. It's a game changing thought, it doesn't make life easier, but it changes things for sure. For to long I liked the idea of buying into Jesus for the whole eternal life in heaven thing. But let's face it, I wasn't pursuing anything that had to do with Christ. That's crazy, because this idea says to me - even though I'm alive physically if I'm separated from God by my own Choice, my eternity begins now... without God.

The book is

The Divine Conspiracy: Discovering Our Hidden Life in God

Dallas Willard

Oklahoma here we come.

-Trey