Hello, welcome back. As I write this week’s edition, one thought keeps running through my mind. What is a “Hardcore Christian?” You see, a couple of weeks ago, I was sitting in church and I noticed a patch that said, “I’m a Hardcore Christian.” This prompted my thinker. Hardcore makes me think of several things with one common thread, pushing the limits. Hardcore bikers are considered “one percenters.” One percenters are those that society views as reprobates. You know the ones. Those guys that live and breathe “Biker!” Most are considered “outlaw.” Not the club, but the ones who fight the government and the establishment.
So, this led me to ask myself, “What would constitute an ‘outlaw Christian?’” The term outlaw may bring to mind Jessie James, Billy the Kid, or any of many cowboy rule breakers. These guys may have ruined a term of respect. You see, I think Jesus was an outlaw. When one reads through the gospels, one finds Jesus to be hated by the religious establishment and opposed by the government. Now before you click off the blog and say to yourself that I have lost my mind, let me explain my view of an outlaw. Outlaws are people who live in the moment with an eye on the future. Outlaws generally respect others as long as their “rules and regulations” don’t impose on the outlaw’s freedom. When an outlaw finds oppression of and misuses of the “less fortunate”, he will rise to the task of fighting the battle for freedom. Jesus came to set the captive free! Many great men were considered outlaws at first when they began to stand up for and fight for freedom. Martin Luther comes to mind here.
It seems to me that many churches and subsequently Christians have relegated the faith to a list of rules and regulations filled with dos and don’ts rather than a vibrant relationship filled with freedom and abundance. The Apostle Paul states that it was for freedom that Christ set us free! Jesus said that whom the Son sets free is free indeed. Why then do we have a faith filled with rules rather than a relationship filled with freedom? I believe it goes back to the establishment. Jesus established the church to proclaim true freedom, Freedom from sin, death and the grave. This message permeated the culture until the very government that so harshly opposed it embraced it and called itself a Christian nation. Once establishment gives way to a central government, rules and regulations follow. Now don’t think that I’m proposing a faith without and boundaries. The Scriptures give us the terms of our covenant with God. The establishment brings its own rules and interpretation of the covenant terms. Hence the new need for an outlaw to bring reformation. I have in my own life been given to following the rules. You know, the rules that govern how one should look, speak, act etc. deep inside though, I have an outlaw nature that asks the question, “Why?” Why do I do, say or act?
I firmly believe that the time is ripe for “outlaw Christianity.” We need to shed the oppressive establishment and embrace true freedom in the person of Jesus Christ. We need to drop the rules and live a life true to Scripture and follow the Spirit of Christ to share the true freedom He brings. While this ideal still has to be fleshed out in practice, I want to be a “one percenter” for the kingdom. I want to be known as one who pushed the limits and fought for the freedom of the oppressed and down-trodden.
I know that this life is not for everyone. Many people enjoy the safety of the normal, but I am convinced that Jesus opposes the norm. Think about joining me in this life endeavor. Til next week, live free and ride safe!
So, this led me to ask myself, “What would constitute an ‘outlaw Christian?’” The term outlaw may bring to mind Jessie James, Billy the Kid, or any of many cowboy rule breakers. These guys may have ruined a term of respect. You see, I think Jesus was an outlaw. When one reads through the gospels, one finds Jesus to be hated by the religious establishment and opposed by the government. Now before you click off the blog and say to yourself that I have lost my mind, let me explain my view of an outlaw. Outlaws are people who live in the moment with an eye on the future. Outlaws generally respect others as long as their “rules and regulations” don’t impose on the outlaw’s freedom. When an outlaw finds oppression of and misuses of the “less fortunate”, he will rise to the task of fighting the battle for freedom. Jesus came to set the captive free! Many great men were considered outlaws at first when they began to stand up for and fight for freedom. Martin Luther comes to mind here.
It seems to me that many churches and subsequently Christians have relegated the faith to a list of rules and regulations filled with dos and don’ts rather than a vibrant relationship filled with freedom and abundance. The Apostle Paul states that it was for freedom that Christ set us free! Jesus said that whom the Son sets free is free indeed. Why then do we have a faith filled with rules rather than a relationship filled with freedom? I believe it goes back to the establishment. Jesus established the church to proclaim true freedom, Freedom from sin, death and the grave. This message permeated the culture until the very government that so harshly opposed it embraced it and called itself a Christian nation. Once establishment gives way to a central government, rules and regulations follow. Now don’t think that I’m proposing a faith without and boundaries. The Scriptures give us the terms of our covenant with God. The establishment brings its own rules and interpretation of the covenant terms. Hence the new need for an outlaw to bring reformation. I have in my own life been given to following the rules. You know, the rules that govern how one should look, speak, act etc. deep inside though, I have an outlaw nature that asks the question, “Why?” Why do I do, say or act?
I firmly believe that the time is ripe for “outlaw Christianity.” We need to shed the oppressive establishment and embrace true freedom in the person of Jesus Christ. We need to drop the rules and live a life true to Scripture and follow the Spirit of Christ to share the true freedom He brings. While this ideal still has to be fleshed out in practice, I want to be a “one percenter” for the kingdom. I want to be known as one who pushed the limits and fought for the freedom of the oppressed and down-trodden.
I know that this life is not for everyone. Many people enjoy the safety of the normal, but I am convinced that Jesus opposes the norm. Think about joining me in this life endeavor. Til next week, live free and ride safe!
