What I liked about this film was its honest approach to the story...unafraid to show the ugliness of someone who is wrestling with their faith, and portraying the REALITY of what it is to be a Christian. Far too often, an unbiblical, phony Jesus is sold to people, by people who mean well, but because they bought into the lie themself, they perpetuate it. The lie that I am referring to is the false message, "Invite Jesus into your heart and he will fix your life for you...take away your problems". But that is NOT what a Biblical Christian is. The Bible teaches us in Matthew 16:24 what is required to be a TRUE disciple of Christ - "Then Jesus told his disciples, "If anyone would come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross and follow me."
DENY YOURSELF: That means surrender YOUR will, YOUR desires, YOUR identity.
TAKE UP YOUR CROSS: The cross is an instrument of suffering and death...and so to be a TRUE disciple you must DIE to self so that it is no longer YOU who lives, but it is Christ living in you! Likewise you must surrender to the suffering of being an enemy of the world while you are in the world. For the world will hate you because of Christ.
FOLLOW CHRIST: Surrender YOUR plans, YOUR desires, YOUR identity and instead live your life in Christ as you walk out your life in sanctification...living for Christ's will, not your own.
And so although overall I enjoyed this film, nevertheless I truly wish that it had openly and plainly revealed the gospel message to the audience...and so I can only surmise that was never its intention. (I am now curious to learn the backstory to this film).
TAKE UP YOUR CROSS: The cross is an instrument of suffering and death...and so to be a TRUE disciple you must DIE to self so that it is no longer YOU who lives, but it is Christ living in you! Likewise you must surrender to the suffering of being an enemy of the world while you are in the world. For the world will hate you because of Christ.
FOLLOW CHRIST: Surrender YOUR plans, YOUR desires, YOUR identity and instead live your life in Christ as you walk out your life in sanctification...living for Christ's will, not your own.
And so although overall I enjoyed this film, nevertheless I truly wish that it had openly and plainly revealed the gospel message to the audience...and so I can only surmise that was never its intention. (I am now curious to learn the backstory to this film).
