[The Shepherd’s Echo is a reposting of a previously published TheShepherdsPen.]
I remember hearing a story as a young man. It was about a man who desired to buy two dollars worth of God. “I would like to buy two dollars worth of God, please. Not enough to disturb my sleep, but just enough to equal a cup of warm milk, or a snooze in the sunshine. I want a pound of the eternal in a paper sack. I would like to buy two dollars worth of God.” Unfortunately, this is a widely held desire. People want just enough of God to feel good. They want enough of God to “make it into Heaven.” They just don’t want too much of God, at least not so much that they need to change their beliefs or their behavior.
Truth is, God is an all or nothing offer. It is like marriage, pregnancy or life itself. You’re either all in or you’re not. You’re married or you’re not. You’re pregnant or you’re not. You are alive or you’re not.
I fear all too often our society looks at Jesus as being a “Swiss Army Knife” kind of God. He’s there to keep in our pockets to get us out of trouble, but only when we need Him. Afterwards, it’s back in the pocket. He’s our handy Savior to “get us out of Hell” but not to obey on a daily basis.
Christ spoke of these kind of believers in Revelation 3:16. He was referring to the Laodiceans who were “Two-Dollar Christians” that were extremely self-reliant; they were believers in name only. Christ said He wished they were either hot or cold rather than luke-warm. He warned them, “so because you are luke-warm, neither hot or cold, I will spit you out of my mouth.” Because they were uncommitted, they were detestable to Christ.
As we stand at the threshold of another year, it’s time to make some life changing decisions. When it comes to belief in Jesus Christ, you’re either in or you’re out. You can’t straddle the line. You can’t take eternity home in a paper sack. Christ and His gift of salvation cannot be purchased. It is a gift to be accepted and received. No, you cannot purchase God, but He does cost you everything. Christ wants all of you, not your two dollars.
Later in the Book of Revelation Christ says, “Behold, I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will come in to him and eat with him, and he with me.” He awaits your decision today to invite Him into your life, and to follow Him. He longs to have an intimate relationship with you, to dine with you, to embrace you 100%.
Are you in?
