In his book, The Naked Gospel, my friend, Andrew Farley, writes about a debilitating disorder that is spreading among many Christians. It’s called by the same title as the first chapter of his book, Obsessive Christianity Disorder. Let me share a few excerpts from that chapter.
MEDS, THERAPY, AND A MENTAL HEALTH FACILITY – THESE WERE the solutions I was offered. One counselor suggested that my condition wouldn’t change for the rest of my life and that I’d always need medication. As desperate as I was, I just didn’t buy it. There had to be some other answer to my problem. After trying several Christian therapists, each of whom employed a different approach, no one could alter the patterned behaviors I was stuck in.
After all, obsessive Bible study and street evangelism are not your run-of-the-mill symptoms. (p 19)
Soon all of the exertion with no payoff took its toll. I began spiraling into a deep depression. A few months later, I found myself lying on the floor of my apartment, sobbing for hours on end: “God, I’m doing everything I’m supposed to do, and I still don’t feel any closer to you. In fact, I feel worse than ever! How could this have gone so wrong? I can’t see any way out. Help me!” (p 22)
It’s been seventeen years since I lay sobbing on the floor of that apartment. Today, I wouldn’t trade my relationship with God for anything. In fact, I would wish my relationship with him on everyone! Through my desperation, my surrender to God for real answers, and my willingness to leave behind everything I had presumed before, I was introduced to the “naked” gospel. (p 23)
Maybe you can relate though your story may have different details. It’s a story we hear every week at Grace Life International. Christians living in a state of “have to Christianity” instead of “want to Christianity.” And the solution is that same “naked gospel” with no man-made additives. We share this to help other Christians experience the internal rest God always wanted us to have from the start. After all, we are human beings, not human doings!
Andrew Farley has written four other books, is a pastor, a nationally known respected teacher, and has his own radio program on Sirius XM radio. He will be the keynote speaker at Grace Life International’s 20th Anniversary Celebration on October 3rd. I invite you to be our guest that evening. You will not only hear him speak but will have great fun as well.
To sign up and for more information, Click Here
Believe it! It’s the Gospel.
Live Free In Christ,
Mark Maulding, President and Founder
www.GraceLifeInternational.com All Content Copyright © 2015 Mark Maulding but feel free to pass it on!
