Moderate Christian is an oxymoron. The two terms contradict each other. There’s no such thing as a moderate Christian.

When Jesus says, “Follow me,” he’s calling you to a radical all-in commitment to Christ as Lord and his ways as the only Way. Knowing Jesus, loving him, resembling him, serving him, following him has to be the number one passion of your life. Everything else, whatever it is, must come second.

But that sounds so fanatical. You know, you can be TOO religious.

Wait. Really? Is that how Christianity works? Does Jesus say moderation in all things? Or is that something the culture tells us to keep our discipleship private?

“If anyone comes to me and does not hate his father and mother, his wife and children, his brothers and sisters–yes, even his own life–he cannot be my disciple. And anyone who does not carry his cross and follow me cannot be my disciple.” ~Luke 14:26-27

Does that sound moderate?

Jesus does not say to the crowd, “Look, most of you can be moderate, but I do need a few good women and men who really want to go all the way with this discipleship thing.” No, he says “Anyone.” There is not one set of rules for Peter and another set of rules for me. With Jesus, it’s always all or nothing.

Some people say we can be Christians without necessarily having to be disciples. I’ve heard people say that out loud. Why, then, was the last thing Jesus told us was to go into all the world and make disciples, teaching them to obey all he had commanded? Jesus didn’t add, “But, hey, if that’s too much to ask, tell them to just become Christians.”

Francis Chan used to talk about watching recruiting commercials on TV for the Marines. He was very inspired by the call to become part of the few, the proud, the Marines. But, he says, every single commercial showed people running. Everyone was always running. And Chan hated running. He says, “I didn’t bother to ask if they could modify the rules for me so I could run less and maybe do fewer pushups. That would have been pointless and stupid. Everyone knows that if you sign up for the Marines, you have to do whatever they tell you. They own you. You belong to them.”

When Jesus says, “Follow me,” it’s a radical thing. The call is to lose your life so he can save it. Throw your life away so he can give it to you. Be last so he can make you first. Suffer and serve so you can share in his eternal glory.

Peace,

Allan