Following Christ is not the cream puff, cotton candy, all sugar stuff we’ve seen promoted in our current culture. It is not about just “hangin’” with the “crew” (or whatever slang is being used in this 24 hour period).

Following Christ is not a hangout.

He is LIFE. He does not lie to you about that. Maybe some other “Christian” has lied to you about that, but when you actually READ THE BIBLE, you’ll find out this isn’t easy stuff. It’s not about “hangin’.”

It’s almost like we need a new Reformation. But that’s what is weird. In Martin Luther’s day, people didn’t have the Bible in their own language. We have the Bible in dozens of English translations. We’re just not picking it up and reading it.

But if you do happen to read it, you will find passages like this one:

³ Not only so, but we also glory in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance;⁴ perseverance, character; and character, hope.⁵ And hope does not put us to shame, because God’s love has been poured out into our hearts through the Holy Spirit, who has been given to us. (Rom. 5:3-5, NIV)

Sufferings? Perseverance? CHARACTER?

“I just wanted to hang out with some really cool people with tattoos and stuff!”

Following Christ isn’t about checking your brain at the door. It isn’t about listening to great music and a three minute talk. It is about following a King who has paved the way for us, and that path has some tough issues.

So, if you aren’t planning on actually thinking about your faith in Christ, or knowing who this glorious Savior is, could I invite you to please try another religion? This one actually requires something of you: it requires all of you.

Follow Christ. Get all in, or you will get disappointed in a hurry.