BEAST MODE

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"Beast mode"... It's a phrase my teens use when bragging about or admiring the power or dominance of a thing.  I don't know how long it will be around (Perhaps even now they might say, "Dad, that was so 'last year."  Nobody says, "beast mode" anymore."); but there is something of Jesus that I hear in it.  It is laced with a violent abandon to the status quo.  It conjures the image of The Hulk - so emotionally evoked that a transformation occurs making him unstoppable.  Our table-tossing, Lion-of-the-Tribe-of-Judah, consuming-fire-of-a-God has just such a 'beast mode' quality.  When it comes to His love, He rips open gates of bronze and breaks apart bars of iron to get to His kids and free them (see Isaiah 45:2).  He is love (see 1 John 4:8-21).  And Love is BEAST MODE.  Love violently ejects fear.  Love boldly goes first into the dark void of self-sacrifice.  Love is the undefeated champion.  Love is the greatest.  Love is beast mode.  And when we love - with His essence, His version, His Name, we are functioning in the beast mode power of God.

In recent chats with a number of folks, the topic of "love" has been the centerpiece.  We have spoken of love as the only logical justification for the manic, unwieldy existence of man in contrast to the tolerant, unfolding plan of God.  We have pondered the experience of showing off our love muscles on the beach of fellowship, while recognizing that it is in the sweat of the gym of friction where they are built.  We have recognized the stamina of true love - that cardio workout which challenges and changes us.  That relational regimen of exercise that conforms us more into the image of our beast mode God of love.  It's where the rubber meets the road.  Love is the evidence of God's nature in us that will convince the world of His presence.  More than any miracle (as much as I love those), love will exemplify the reality of God and manifest the culture of His family in such a way as to draw forth the hidden manna of faith planted in each person.  "Surely, God is God, and you are His," they will say.  So, friends...keep sweating it out in the gym of friction.  Don't give up.  Go after six-pack abs and a marathon set of lungs.  Build those love muscles for the glory of God and the sake of all.  And when the friction comes, go all 'beast mode' and let the Lion of love roar!

Forever panning for gold,
Chris Liotta 

Lead Pastor
Rivergate Church
Chris@WeAreRivergate.com




© 2016 Chris Liotta