Dare to Be

For a brief moment,
Jesus’ mission on earth seemed like a huge failure.
​How did it turn around to become the world sensation? 

The Power To Turn The World Upside Down

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Business for Profit

I often like to describe the action of Jesus in redeeming the church as similar to that of a businessman willing to buy a failing football club, or a crumbling business, or a dilapidated house.
What could be the motive of such a businessman?
I’m sure you know the answer as much as I do.
Did I hear you say, Profit!
Profit it is. Well, most of the time.
But I think Jesus’ approach was a little bit unconventional to that of a typical businessman.

Did You Count the Cost?

A typical businessman looking to make profit sees hope, or at least potential first before he commits his resources, right? It’s more or less like the “counting the cost” doctrine Jesus mentioned in Luke 14:28.

What would you call someone who commits all his resources to buying a white elephant project and with no back-up resources to turn the business around after the sale?
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This looked like the style Jesus used in purchasing the Church: He ransomed her with his own life, and then, of course, died.
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Paul said scarcely would anyone die for a righteous man (Rom 5:7). But here was Jesus, dying for someone “dead through trespasses,” and was a “stranger from the covenants of promise, having no hope, and without God in the world” (Eph 2:4-5, 12).
Amazing Love! Isn’t it? (Rom 5:8).

Moment of Failure

Most of us have our time of failure. For a brief moment in history, as Jesus went to the grave, His mission on earth looked like one huge failure.
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You can imagine the eclipse in heaven; the disappointment, the sigh, and the sadness as the angels watched [in horror] the hope of humanity giving away the only thing that could save the world to redeem a condemned woman who did not even love Him or was aware of His love!
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​The few disciples Jesus gathered and commissioned to go teach about Him and take His message across the world were all scattered after He died. Most went back to their former lives and businesses to put their [lost] lives back together (Joh 21:3).
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Put yourself in the shoes of someone like Peter and try to think the whole thing through.

Earlier, while Jesus was still alive with them, many of the disciples of Jesus abandoned Him because of his unconventional way of speaking the truth. He turned to the remaining disciples and asked them if they would also leave. But this time, they left.

I would blow hot in that situation. I don’t know about you.

It's Your Turn

However, we know that the same Peter (as well as other disciples except Judas) came on strong later after the resurrection of Jesus. It was their turn to become unconventional. Only a few of them “turned the world upside down.”
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Perhaps the reason you are not is because you are too typical. It’s time to dare to be unconventional.

We are the Bride

Redeeming the imperfect and hopeless church was only the beginning of the demonstration of Jesus’ undying love for the church.

Jesus would come back later to marry the church He died for and present her as a Bride to God the Father. She will be a “glorious church, not having spot, or wrinkle, or any such thing; but that it should be holy and without blemish” (Eph 5:21).
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What a sweet and romantic end, nay the beginning it would be for you and I – because we are that Bride!
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Isn’t Jesus the greatest businessman though unconventional?

Dare To Be

If your following Jesus is not as unconventional as Him, you have not yet been initiated into the true foundation of the life of Christ.
Everything about Christ follows an unconventional pattern; His birth – in a manger by a teenager; His death – amidst criminals; His resurrection – none before or after Him; and even His return – in the cloud of all places!

The disciples’ lives also followed the same unconventional pattern so much so that the world marveled at them and called them “Christians” for want of a better word. Its your turn to dare to be unconventional, it’s about time to dare to be different.

Does the world marvel at you because you are unconventional in your following Jesus, or it’s so typical they see nothing different from the world?
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Think about that for a moment.

Up, Close, And Personal

Why don’t you start off by asking yourself if truly you are a part of the Bride of Christ. Are you among those He redeemed through His blood and He is coming for?

Wait! Before you rush to say “yes” to that question “by faith,” I want you to know that simply being a Christian won’t cut it. This is a matter of eternal life, so it is better to be sure on earth than be sorry in heaven.

Here is a quick heads-up. This question will give you an insight into knowing if you are a part of the bride Jesus is coming for or not:
Are you a member of a local assembly or you are a member of organized church system (denomination)?