What if we, as Christians, began to really embody the life that Jesus calls us to? This is what has been called the "white elephant" of the American Church: Christians not really embracing the way of life as set down by Jesus Christ. It is the white elephant, for it is very visible, but yet it is not acknowledged. It truds between our pews and onto our stages, but no one says a word, though everyone understands what is going on. As I stand on the mountain and look over the United States, what do I see, even in Christian households? To quote Ct. Cyprian, "[U]nder all roofs misery and selfishness." Why do we not embrace the life Jesus calls us to, the life of selflessness, the life of servitude, the life of sacrifice, the life of humility, the life of compassion and kindness and generosity, the life of godly love? Why do we continue in our lives of selfishness, greed, and indifference? If persecution were swarming the United States, how many of us Christians would be jailed? How many of us Christians would have enough evidence to convict us of really following Jesus?

Where did we miss the point that being a Christian is not about believing a certain doctrine or simply receiving by grace a "get-out-of-hell-free" ticket? Where did we miss the point that being a Christian is, at its heart, being a disciple of Jesus, being a student of Jesus, learning from him how to live in this world? Where have we missed the point that being a Christian is about being a new kind of person in the world: in a world of hate, Christians are a people of love; in a world of selfishness, Christians are a people who are selfless; in a world of greed, Christians are a people of generosity; in a world of indifference, Christians are a people who are caring, compassionate, and justice-hungry? Where have we missed the point that Jesus didn't just come to make bad people good, but to raise dead people to life, and this new life is one of the facets of the kingdom of God? It is a sad day when Christianity becomes a mere assent to belief, not a new way of life.

What if we really started following Jesus? I mean really following him? What if we adopted the way of life he set down--a life of selflessness, sacrifice, servitude, humility, kindness, and love--and really started living this new way of life in a world of selfishness, greed, and indifference? What if really started smoking what we're selling? I believe that if Christians throughout the United States really adopted as their own the way of life as set down by Christ's model for us and his teachings, two things would happen: first, the number of Christians would swell. This way of life--this Christian life--is adorable, beautiful, good, and coveted. Christians create a community within culture where love, generosity, forgiveness, acceptance, and belonging are paramount. Who cannot fall in love with such a community, and in doing so fall in love with the Master of the community, Christ?

I also believe persecution would intensify, whether it would be organized by the government or just extended from the hands and mouths of those opposed to the Christian life. History tells us that where Christ's way of life grows, persecution grows, too. Christ promised us this would happen, and I believe it is for one simple reason: the world is run by selfishness, greed, and indifference, and in our hearts we are selfish, greedy, and indifferent. Christians are overtaken by the Spirit and, over time, transformed. While at the beginning of being a Christian living out the Christian life may be very difficult, it will become easier as the Spirit of God transforms us. Those who are not Christians, however, are not transformed, and they look upon the Christians living the life of love, and they are filled with hatred. They revel in darkness and hate the light, and they try to destroy the light because it makes them uncomfortable (and thus persecution is born).

Open up your Bible. Read the words of Jesus. Let him guide your life. Really. Let him guide your life.