This week, I have been reading a book called The Barbarian Way by Erwin McManus. The premise is simple, yet profound: Christianity has become a polite & civil religion concerned with keeping people in line--but Jesus did not die to keep people in line. He died to bring us into a new Kingdom where He rules. And being part of that Kingdom means fighting for the heart of the King--that's right: fighting--against the darkness of this world, & the sin inside me.
Somehow, we have completely given up on this barbaric idea, trading it instead for safe lives, safe religion, and safely letting millions & millions die without God, doomed to eternity under His wrath.
I have always wanted to be safe--safe in school, safe in relationships, safe from injury, pain, & disappointment. I have treated safety as if it were God's ultimate purpose for my life! And I am wrong. God loves me deeply, but did not come to save me unto a life of safety, but unto a life of purpose, completely given to Him. And that is dangerous.
Completely giving myself to the King means that, when the King calls, I must go--wherever, whenever, whatever--and it's usually anything but safe. The truth is that the Kingdom of God is at war with the kingdom of darkness, & I am right in the middle of it--whether I care to admit it or not. And this war requires danger & violence. Jesus Himself said,"from the days of John the Baptist until now, the kingdom of heaven has suffered violence, and the violent take it by force" (Matthew 11:12). Following Jesus--fighting for the heart of the King--requires me to abandon safety & pursue the Barbarian Way.
Jesus came to join me to Himself & His mission in the world: reclaiming the Kingdom of God. He came to bring me to life so I can fight for Him, bringing others to life. He came for many things, but not my safety.
"Is He safe?" "'Course He isn’t safe. but He’s good. He’s the King." -CS Lewis, The Lion, the Witch, & the Wardrobe
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