The core problem isn’t the fact that we’re lukewarm, halfhearted, or stagnant Christians. The crux of it all is why we are this way, and it is because we have an inaccurate view of God. We see Him as a benevolent Being who is satisfied when people manage to fit Him into their lives in some small way. We forget that God never had an identity crisis. He knows that He’s great and deserves to be the center of our lives.
Francis ChanGod is calling you to a passionate love relationship with Himself. The answer to religious complacency isn't working harder at a list of do's and don'ts-it's falling in love with God.
Francis ChanJesus didn't say that if you wanted to follow Him you could do it in a lukewarm manner. He said, 'Take up your cross and follow Me.'
Francis ChanFrankly, you need to get over yourself. It might sound harsh, but that's seriously what it means [1 Corinthians 10:31].
Francis ChanMy pride and immaturity caused me to make things more of a struggle than they had to be. I can always blame others or circumstances, but the truth was that my own sinful pride led to more stress than anything else.
Francis ChanIt's pride, plain and simple, that keeps me from giving God all the glory and keeping some of it for myself. It is a battle we all fight in some form or another, some of us daily or even hourly.
Francis ChanA person who is obsessed with Jesus is more concerned with his or her character than comfort. Obsessed people know that true joy doesn't depend on circumstances or environment; it is a gift that must be chosen and cultivated, a gift that ultimately comes from God (James 1:2-4).
Francis ChanI want to train my kids so where they are the only believers they can stand on their own two feet and teach others.
Francis ChanI quickly found that the American church is a difficult place to fit in if you want to live out New Testament Christianity. The goals of American Christianity are often a nice marriage, children who don't swear, and good church attendance. Taking the words of Christ literally, and seriously, is rarely considered. That's for the 'radicals' who are 'unbalanced' and who go 'overboard.' Most of us want a balanced life we can control, that is safe, and that does not involve suffering.
Francis ChanJesus evidently hates it when we tear into our brothers or sisters with demeaning words, words that fail to honor the people around us as the beautiful image-bearing creatures that they are.
Francis ChanWhen we love God because we feel we should love Him, instead of genuinely loving out of our true selves, we have forgotten who God really is.
Francis ChanI sometimes struggle with how to properly respond to God’s magnitude in a world bent on ignoring or merely tolerating Him. But know this: God will not be tolerated. He instructs us to worship and fear Him.
Francis ChanIt's incredibly arrogant to pick and choose which incomprehensible truths we embrace. No one wants to ditch God's plan of redemption [the cross], even though it doesn't make sense to us. Neither should we erase God's revealed plan of punishment because it doesn't sit well with us. As soon as we do this, we are putting God's actions in submission to our own reasoning, which is a ridiculous thing for clay to do.
Francis Chan...I don't have to worry about not meeting His expectations. God will ensure my success in accordance with His plan, not mine.
Francis ChanHeavenly Father, thank You so much for Your grace. Your forgiveness is SO good that I struggle with believing it at times. Thank You for rescuing me from myself and giving me Your Holy Spirit. Your love is better than life.
Francis ChanWhen loving Him becomes obligation, one of the many things we have to do, we end up focusing even more on ourselves.
Francis ChanWith my natural communication abilities, I could probably gather a crowd even without the Spirit.
Francis ChanI really believe it's time for some of us to stop apologizing for God and start apologizing to Him for being embarrassed by the ways He has chosen to reveal Himself
Francis ChanTend to choose what is popular over what is right when they are in conflict. They desire to fit in both at church and outside of church; they care more about what people think of their actions (like church attendance and giving) than what God thinks of their hearts and lives.
Francis ChanI am just an earthly sinful father & I love my kids so much it hurts. How could I not trust a heavenly, perfect Father who loves me infinitely more than I will ever love my kids?
Francis ChanWe never grow closer to God when we just live life. It takes deliberate pursuit and attentiveness.
Francis ChanBut hey, if that’s too much to ask, tell them to just become Christians—you know, the people who get to go to heaven without having to commit to anything
Francis ChanSome of you are sitting at home saying, 'I don't need a church to love God,' and I am here telling you that you are so wrong.
Francis ChanWhen the church really takes on the humble characteristics of Christ, that's going to lead to revival.
Francis ChanIf I have a script, I tend to stick to it even if God may be leading me elsewhere in the moment.
Francis ChanI had come out of a church that was filled with petty arguments and hatred. I just wanted to meet with some friends and worship with them.
Francis ChanDo you understand that it's impossible to please God in any way other than wholehearted surrender?
Francis ChanIf God cared only about religious activities, then the Pharisees would have been heroes of the faith.
Francis ChanLuke warm people are continually concerned with playing it safe; they are slaves to the god of control. This focus on safe living keeps them from sacrificing and risking for God.
Francis ChanI've grown up in a generation that questions God for setting boundaries. Does He have the right to set boundaries? I've grown up in a generation that thinks where meeting with a God is an ordinary thing.
Francis ChanAgain, our marriage problems are not really marriage problems. They are heart problems. They are God problems. Our lack of intimacy with God causes a void that we try to fill with the frailest of substitutes. Like wealth or pleasure. Like fame or respect. Like people. Like marriage.
Francis ChanPeople who are obsessed with God have an intimate relationship with Him. They are nourished by God's Word throughout the day because they know that forty minutes on Sunday is not enough to sustain them for a whole week, especially when they will encounter so many distractions and alternative messages.
Francis ChanGod gave me the same power He gave Jesus. I ask myself daily, Why do I waste such a priceless gift?
Francis ChanAll my life I've heard people say, 'God loves you.' It's probably the most insane statement you could make to say that the eternal Creator of this universe is in love with me. There is a response that ought to take place in believers, a crazy reaction to that love. Do you really understand what God has done for you? If so, why is response so lukewarm?
Francis Chan