- Ray Ortlund (taken from The Happiness of Wholehearted Christians post by Tullian Tchividjian)
Looking back some of the most memorable experience being a Christian, the closest I felt the persence of God is often times the most trying. The times where I simply have no where to go but to look up. And often, in this circumstances, I often have to go all out and not holding anything back.
Sometimes, and more often than not, the thought of complacency is very very tempting. The thoughts in the head range from 'why should I go, I am not equip' to 'what about the other guy, I done my part' often are quiet small doses of cold water pouring over the passion to for His Will and for His Kingdom to come.
Jesus, as radical as He is, always ask those who follow Him to go all out. With the Rich Young ruler, He asks him to sell everything (Luke 18:22). The calling of His Disciples, Peter, Matthew, James and John (Matthew 4:18) simply drop everything and follow Him. It is very black and white. Either we all drop or we don't. Either we choose to follow or we don't.
As a Saviour and as a Rabbi, He lives the what He teaches. Dying on the cross. That's going all out. There was no holding back. The Father hold back some Grace. He hold back everything. To the point where Jesus cried out for Him (Mark 15:34).
Dietrich Bonhoeffer once said, "when Jesus bid a man to follow Him, He bids the man to die."
That's pretty much what it means. Going all out. To the point where one's life is no longer matter. Only when one is willing to give everything and even his/her own life, that's when one truly see and experience the grace of God.
This thought has been flowing in my mind. Cliff Tam is dead. I always considered after my liver transplant as a second chance to live. Now it is more than just the body.
The Cliff Tam that the world knows of and that is enslaved in sin is gone. And only through death of one self can life emerges. AMEN!
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