Obsessed Much

The definition of obsessed is: to have the mind excessively preoccupied with a single emotion or topic, to dominate or preoccupy the thoughts, feelings, or desires of.

What do you think about when you hear that someone is obsessed with Jesus? Do you think that they are a little different or off? Do you think that they are weird or stand offish?

My question is, what should we really look like? When the Holy Spirit is so alive and active in our lives we cannot help but to be as Christ put it, “the city one the hill.” In other words we shine so much with the glory of God that everyone around see’s it whether we like it or not!

This subject of obsessed with Christ came up while I was sitting in on a Bible study with some friends on a chapter in the book “Crazy Love” by Francis Chan titled “Profile of the Obsessed.”

The first section that he spoke about in the chapter was “Lovers.” Not what you think when you hear this word!! Chan brings up that fact we all too often believe that by being a NICE person people will see that and then want to know more about Jesus. This is not how it happens says Chan. We do all know people that are nice but they are not even close to believers!

Our real call to love is in Luke 6:32-36 2“If you love those who love you, what credit is that to you? Even sinners love those who love them. 33 And if you do good to those who are good to you, what credit is that to you? Even sinners do that. 34 And if you lend to those from whom you expect repayment, what credit is that to you? Even sinners lend to sinners, expecting to be repaid in full. 35 But love your enemies, do good to them, and lend to them without expecting to get anything back. Then your reward will be great, and you will be children of the Most High, because he is kind to the ungrateful and wicked. 36 Be merciful, just as your Father is merciful.

How challenging is this really. If I am going to love someone that hates me I must first love them as Christ loves them and not with my own understanding. The question comes up in the chapter, “Can you love someone after they have hurt you?” I can say that my answer is yes but when I think about some of the things that the people of this world do and live I really am unsure sometimes! I do recognize that with this concept in mind I have to sit down and ask Jesus to help me see people as He sees them! This is the only way that I feel that I can truly love those that have/will hurt me!

Now why do we love and serve the way we do if we are true followers of Christ. Luke 14:12-14: 12 Then Jesus said to his host, “When you give a luncheon or dinner, do not invite your friends, your brothers or sisters, your relatives, or your rich neighbors; if you do, they may invite you back and so you will be repaid. 13 But when you give a banquet, invite the poor, the crippled, the lame, the blind, 14 and you will be blessed. Although they cannot repay you, you will be repaid at the resurrection of the righteous.”

What is this telling us? First that we are to love and serve others without thoughts of being repaid, Jesus said in Mark 2:17; Jesus said to them, "It is not the healthy who need a doctor, but the sick. I have not come to call the righteous, but sinners.” We have to understand that the things that we have are not our own. What we have been given are from God and should be used for whatever ministry we can. That does not mean that we should always have our homes open to have people to but if we do see that someone is in need and we are able that we step up in love those people and show them Christ!

The section that really stood out to me what the section about being risk takers! As Francis Chan put it we have all prayed from safety during travel and that no one gets hurt on this trip and bring us back safely. Why can we not pray, “God bring me closer to you during this trip, whatever it takes! We are all too often worried about what is going to happen to us that we then become blinded to the will of God in our lives. I can often forget what it means to be uncomfortable here and set in the kingdom! Sometimes pain and/or distress are going to come with the things of this world, especially if we are walking a life that is Obsessed with Christ!
We have to have a heart that is going to minister and want to minister to people that don’t know Jesus. We are called to a witness to the light as it says in John 1:7a, “7 He came as a witness to testify concerning that light.” The definition of witness is to see, hear, or know by personal presence and perception and then this is the important part, to bear witness to; testify to; give or afford evidence of. Just of this definition alone if we are called to be a witness to the light which is Jesus should be self explanatory!

The final thought that I have is directly out of the book. Remember our definition of obsessed The definition of obsessed is: to have the mind excessively preoccupied with a single emotion or topic, to dominate or preoccupy the thoughts, feelings, or desires of.

Christians Obsessed with Christ are more concerned with obeying God than doing what is expected or fulfilling the status quo. A person who is obsessed with Jesus will do things that don’t always make sense in terms of success or wealth on this earth.