The Commitment of a Terrorist

I was eating breakfast this morning and reading about the recent terrorist attack in London. What caught my attention was who staged the attack. They were mainly doctors and medical personnel all working at the same hospital. It made me start thinking, what would cause a person to risk it all for a cause? I mean these people risked it all; their jobs, their family and even their lives. I was shocked to learn that after 911 interest in Islam went up because people wanted to believe in something worth dying for. We hate to admit it but these people are committed.

Why do we find such small commitment among Christians. We are not committed to a cause but a person and His name is Jesus. The commitment of terrorists should pale in comparison to followers of Christ. But sad to say that is not the case especially in America. As a pastor I see first hand the commitment of believers or the lack of it. There are wonderful exceptions but sad to say most Christians are committed only as long as it is convenient. I don't know how it is at your church but we have a hard time just keeping the nursery staffed.

Do you think I am overreacting? Did Jesus call for this radical commitment? Let's listen to Jesus:

Matthew 16:24 (NKJV)
Then Jesus said to His disciples, "If anyone desires to come after Me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow Me.

Luke 14:26 (NLT)
"If you want to be my follower you must love me more than your own father and mother, wife and children, brothers and sisters—yes, more than your own life. Otherwise, you cannot be my disciple.

Why is the church in America in such a weak condition? Could it be because we have lost this dedication to the cause of Christ? In the early days of the church in the book of Acts one of the reasons the church exploded was because there was a group of believers who were willing to die for faith.

5:25 And there came one and told them, Behold, the men whom ye put in the prison are in the temple standing and teaching the people. 5:26 Then went the captain with the officers, and brought them, `but' without violence; for they feared the people, lest they should be stoned. 5:27 And when they had brought them, they set them before the council. And the high priest asked them, 5:28 saying, We strictly charged you not to teach in this name: and behold, ye have filled Jerusalem with your teaching, and intend to bring this man's blood upon us. 5:29 But Peter and the apostles answered and said, we must obey God rather than man.

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Acts 5:25-29 ASV

Today the church is exploding once again but this time it is in China were this same radical commitment is in place. Is there hope for America? Only if we can see a return to this radical commitment to Christ.

I have decided to follow Jesus;
I have decided to follow Jesus;
I have decided to follow Jesus;
No turning back, no turning back.

Though I may wonder, I still will follow;
Though I may wonder, I still will follow;
Though I may wonder, I still will follow;
No turning back, no turning back.

The world behind me, the cross before me;
The world behind me, the cross before me;
The world behind me, the cross before me;
No turning back, no turning back.

Though none go with me, still I will follow;
Though none go with me, still I will follow;
Though none go with me, still I will follow;
No turning back, no turning back.

Will you decide now to follow Jesus?
Will you decide now to follow Jesus?
Will you decide now to follow Jesus?
No turning back, no turning back.

(please note this is an old blog from another blog I keep, the attack I refer to happened several years ago.)