This is Julia Powell. Julia is one of the most on-fire-for-Jesus people I know. She is humble, she is passionate about making His name known, and she is always learning and challenging herself to keep growing. I am so lucky to know this amazing woman.
If I’ve learned anything in my years of following Jesus, it’s that being a Christian is a hot take. It has become less and less popular to live a life completely and undividedly devoted to our King. I think it’s common as believers to read about persecution in the bible and act as though we are excluded from that reality. 2 Timothy 3:12 says, “Indeed, all who desire to live a godly life in Christ Jesus will be persecuted.” It doesn’t say if; it says when. In John 15, Jesus talks about how if the world hates us, we should remember that the world hated Him first (John 15:18). It’s not meant to be a discouragement, but it’s just the fact that living a life pursuing godliness and holiness ain’t cute in the world’s eyes. I think for so many of us, it’s easy to say that the approval of God is enough, but when we are faced with the decision to choose God or choose the world, do we really believe that favor from God completely satisfies?
However, I’ve also learned that we can be the “best” Christian who goes to all the church services and gives generously and reads the bible every morning and shares the gospel and is devoted to prayer, but still feel wildly far from God. Don’t get me wrong, all of those things are so good and many times evidence of God’s hand in our lives, but if we have not love, it really doesn’t matter what we do. You cannot strive your way into His family; our kinship is a gift we receive, not one we could ever work for. One of my favorite scriptures of all time is Revelation 2:2-4.
It says, “I know your deeds, your hard work and your perseverance. I know that you cannot tolerate wicked people, that you have tested those who claim to be apostles but are not, and have found them false. 3 You have persevered and have endured hardships for my name, and have not grown weary.4 Yet I hold this against you: You have forsaken the love you had at first.”
If we had any potential to be “good” in our own strength, Jesus never would’ve chosen to die and satisfy the great punishment we all deserve. We can try and “perform” as best we can for God, but none of it matters if we lose our first love. We obey God because of our deep love for God and our identity as His sons and daughters; We don’t obey SO THAT we can be loved.
Truth is, following Jesus doesn’t make much sense. Nothing else can compare to the supremacy and majesty of all He is, yet He desires to be known intimately by us – humans that are far too feeble to possibly understand the gravity of what that truly means.
The world will probably think you’re crazy, but there’s nothing that the world can offer you that even comes close to the gift of knowing Christ Jesus. There is no such thing as being moderately in Christ. He is either everything or nothing; You are either with Him or against Him. And O how sweet it is to be with Him.
He truly is the best there is, and His way will always be the best way. Don’t waste your time on anything else.
Stuff With K-Huff 