Are you a Christian fanatic?

Have you ever heard the following statements or rebukes regarding your Christian faith?  Oftentimes, naysayers will say these traits/actions are embarrassing to them:

 - Can you please not give out the Gospel in public?

 - Please don't pray in public. 

 - People think your weird or awkward when you talk so much about Christianity.

 - Christian worship should stay within the walls of the church.

 - Don't you know you're not supposed to talk politics or religion in public?

 - Your Christian faith is fine for you, but don't push it on other people. Respect their own personal beliefs.

 - Do you really think giving the Gospel to someone helps them?

 - Please don't get too religious on me.

 - If you really care about people, you wouldn't bother them with your religion.

 - My God wouldn't expect me to run around preaching Christ to everyone.

The list of rebukes or negative comments could go on and on, but really how far is too far in serving God?  Is there a limit point which Christians should not pass in expressing their Christian faith?

If the heroes of the Bible lived today, would they be considered Christian extremists?

John the Baptist publicly proclaimed Christ without regard for rebuke (Matt. 3:1-3).  The image the Bible portrays of John the Baptist is one in which many today would not welcomingly accept (Matt. 3:4). John the Baptist was imprisoned and beheaded for rebuking sin to authorities (Matt. 14:1-12). Yet, Jesus had very high regard for John the Baptist as He said, "there was not one born of women greater than he" (Matt. 11:11).  Was John the Baptist an extremist? Most would say "yes." Was John the Baptist frowned upon by God?  The answer is an emphatic "no."

What about the Apostle Paul? Was the Apostle Paul a Christian religious extremist?  Paul says, "And I, brethren, when I came to you, came not with excellency of speech or of wisdom, declaring unto you the testimony of God. For I determined not to know anything among you, save (except) Jesus Christ, and him crucified." (1 Cor. 2:1-2).  Paul's mission and motive was to preach Jesus Christ without regard for repercussions.  Paul was imprisoned often, beaten numerous times, nearly died on more than one occasion, betrayed by his own, and yet he carried onward to proclaim his Christian faith (2 Cor. 11:23-28). Would the Apostle Paul be labeled an extremist today? You decide. Was he frowned upon by God for doing what he did?  The answer is an emphatic "no."

Nearly all of the disciples and apostles of Christ were imprisoned and/or martyred for their faith. They preached in the streets when they were told not to (Acts 5:40-42).  They suffered immensely both physically and mentally.  Did they stop expressing their Christian faith when rebuked or mocked? No, they didn't!  They carried on because they were thoroughly convinced of the vital importance of proclaiming Christ and His teachings (Acts 5:28-29). Foxe's Book of Martyrs is a book detailing numerous, unforgettable accounts of religious persecution from the earliest days of the church to the Protestant Reformation. These Christians preached their faith boldly even unto death. Their stories are worth reading and remembering.

Our Savior Jesus did no wrong.  He never sinned.  Yet, Jesus would be considered an extremist today because He proclaimed Truth to a world which did not want to hear it (John 8:24, 14:6).  Still, the world today does not want to hear it; the world is not looking to be held accountable for its sins. Regardless, the day is coming when every unbeliever will be held accountable for their sins; so, let us proclaim salvation in Christ before it's too late for the spiritually lost world (John 3:18, 36, Phil. 2:9-11).

Our mission today is the same as it was in Bible times, to preach the Gospel of Jesus Christ to a lost and dying world despite the cost or pushback (Matt. 28:19-20, Mark 16:15, Acts 1:8, Rom. 10:11-16).  Preach Christ and serve God with love for the hearer as peaceably as you can (Rom. 12:18), but always preach Christ and live out your Christian faith until your dying day!