The book is called The Christian Atheist by Craig Groeschel. My favorite part was actually the Afterword. The author shares a testimony of how God gave him a picture or vision of the Christian life.
I wanted to share an except from that here:
I saw a picture as clear as the words on this page. I stood before three lines in the sand. Somehow I knew what each line represented. Line 1: I believe in God and the gospel of Christ enough to benefit from it. Like so many, crossing the first line was easy. Sadly, many who call themselves Christians live here. If there IS a God I want to be on his good side. I want to go to heaven. I want him to bless me with good health, good relationships, and a happy life. Like the 9 ungrateful lepers in Luke 17, once God has helped me, I forget about him.
Most wouldn't admit that that is all the faith they can manage. We want God's benefits without changing the way we live. We want his best without our sacrifices. At the first line, we don't fear God or share our faith. We still love the world. We'll pursue happiness at any cost. First line believers get what we can from God without getting much, if anything, back.
Is first line Christianity REAL Christianity? Is believing in Jesus enough? I'm not sure simply believing in Christ makes a person a Christian...I'm tempted to say "No, I sincerely don't believe it is real Christianity." Even demons believe in Christ....I worry about how many people will be deceived. Instead of truly living as followers of Christ, many lull themselves into a sense of false comfort. I don't point my finger at others only myself. For way too long, I've claimed a belief in God, but my life didn't reflect it.
Line 2: I believe in God and Christ's Gospel enough to contribute comfortably. Past the first line are people who believe in God, not only enough to benefit but also enough to give back--as long as it doesn't cost too much. Many first-line Christians eventually cross the second line. If I don't have to change too much, I'll do some of what God asks. If it doesn't hurt too much, I'll get more serious about God. But everyone has their limits, right? Like the rich young ruler in Matthew 19, I wasn't willing to go along with the religious rules as long as it didn't hurt too much....I realized I was a second line believer. I'd serve God in ministry but I didn't want too many critics. I'd given up some things for Christ....I'd follow Jesus anywhere as long as the job included insurance for my family. The third line was just inches from me. It might as well have been miles.
Line 3: I believe in God and Christ's gospel enough to give my life to it. Although most people I knew were line one and line two believers, suddenly anything less than line three didn't seem like real Christianity to me. Could I give my whole life to Christ? Verses I'd read dozens of times suddenly flooded to mind:
"For whoever wants to save his life will lose it , but whoever loses his life for my sake will find it. What good will it be for a man if he gains the whole world, yet forfeits his soul?" Matt 16:25-26 Am I willing to lose my life?
"I have been crucified with Christ and I no longer life, but Christ lives in me. The life I live in the body, I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me." Gal 2:20 Could I sacrifice my desires, my hopes, my dreams?
"However, I consider my life worth nothing to me, if only I many finish the race and complete the task the Lord Jesus has given me--the task of testifying to the gospel." Acts 20:24 What would it take to make my life nothing to me, existing only to do what Christ wants me to do?
"What is more, I consider everything a loss compared to the surpassing greatness of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord, for whose sake I have lost all things. I consider them rubbish, that I may gain Christ." Phil 3:8 Could I truly count all my earthly possessions a loss, making Christ my greatest treasure?
I knew in the deepest part of myself: I had to be a third line believer. With unquenchable thirst, I pursued living water above all substitutes. I started praying like never before. I started pursuing God in the morning and continued through the day. Jesus was on my mind when I fell asleep and when I woke up. Scripture started to become my bread of life, nourishing my soul. I surrendered one thing after another, until one major hurdle stood between where I was and where God wanted me. I can't tell you what that thing is. It's simply too personal. My battle to cross the third line lasted almost two years. I prayed daily, quoted Scripture. Though spiritually exhausted, I wouldn't give up...finally, one very normal Saturday afternoon, by faith, I gave this last part of my life totally to God. I sacrificed a fear that had held me hostage since I was a child and made a promise to God that I'd never take it back.
I crossed the third line. I believe in God and Christ's gospel so much that I'm willing to give up my whole life to this cause. Nothing in this world is more important to me than my treasure in heaven. No fear in my heart is greater than my fear of God. I desire nothing more than I desire all of God. Tears are filling my eyes as I type this. I cannot put into words what God has done in my heart. I am a different person. You can be too.He goes on to say how every day the world will try to push us back over the 3rd or 2nd lines. It's a constant decision to live out what we believe about God instead of the world. Every day we need to choose the third line.
That was a great word picture for me. It helped me to see things that I was still holding on to that keep me behind that third line. It's when God shows you those things that we are forced to make a decision. Do we keep those things in our life that hinder us, or press forward as the author did, not content until we know we aren't holding anything back from being totally surrendered to Christ.
It also applies in our marriage....are we giving our all for our marriage or holding back? How about our parenting? I pray that this was an encouragement to you as it was to me. To focus on the Christian race we are on....for eternity...and not getting distracted by the things of the world that don't satisfy and don't bring true happiness.
