Cohabitating with Jesus

I am currently reading a book entitled “Not A Fan” by Kyle Idleman. In this book, Mr. Idleman defines the difference between being a “fan” of Jesus and actually being a “follower” of Him. This book challenges us to consider what it really means to call yourself a Christian. I will do more of a book review a little later.

As I was reading today, I came across a part of the book entitled “Cohabitating with Jesus”. Idleman opened this part of the book with this quote:

“There is a fear among fans that by going all-in, they’re going to miss out. Fans want to have just enough of the pleasure without having to risk feeling any pain. We want to enjoy what’s available to us without having to sacrifice for it.”

Idleman continues this section by telling a story of a man and woman who are dating and things begin to get serious. He explains that the woman is ready to get married but the man is not ready for the full-commitment of marriage. Instead, the man has the suggestion of living together. The man wants all of the benefits of marriage  but without having to make a full commitment to the woman.

He continues by quoting a portion of a satirical magazine called The Door, and this is what really caught my attention. This piece suggested that unmarried couples living together should share the following vows:

I, John, take you, Mary, to be my cohabitant, to have sex with and to share bills with. I’ll be around while things are good but I probably won’t be if things get tough. If you should get a cold, I’ll run to the drugstore for some medicine. If you get sick to the point where you can no longer meet my needs, then I’ll have to move on. Forsaking many others I will be more or less faithful to you for as long as it feels good to me. If we should break up, it doesn’t mean this wasn’t special for me. I commit to live with you for as long as this works out.

Wow! How many times have I been guilty of doing this to God? How many times have you? We want to have a relationship with Jesus but we don’t want it to cost us our whole lives, much money, much humiliation and at most – our time! We basically want our lives we are living with a “little Jesus on the side”! We want to cohabit with Jesus and have all of the benefits but don’t want it to cost us too much!

By the way we live our lives, we are telling Jesus, “Well, as long as I don’t have to give up too much or do too much for you, then I’ll say that I’m a Christian. But when the going gets tough, then you better count me out. I still want to do “my thing” but when it is convenient for me, I’ll follow you.”

THIS IS NOT WHAT JESUS WANTS FROM US! HE DOES NOT WANT PART OF US – HE WANTS THE WHOLE OF US!

Luke 9:23 says, “If anyone would come after me, he must deny himself and take up his cross daily and follow me”

This is what God wants from us – TOTAL denial of self and COMPLETE surrender to Him!

Am I willing? Are you willing to give yourself completely to God or would you rather “cohabit with Jesus”?

I Corinthians 10:31 – “So, whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God.”