There are ‘Santa Claus’ Christians, ‘Plan B’ Christians, and ‘Abandon’ Christians. Which one are you? You can count on this. Take it to heart. This is why we’ve thrown ourselves into this venture so totally. We’re banking on the living God, Savior of all. Cultivate these things. Immerse yourself in them. Keep a firm grasp on both your character and your teaching. Don’t be diverted. Just keep at it. Both you and those who hear you will experience salvation. (I Timothy 4:9-10, 15-16 MSG) When you start to act out of fear – because of your expectations (that others will fail you) or your reputation (that you’ll look like a fool), you will then start to make excuses to fulfill your physical needs (money, health, etc.); your emotional needs (past hurts, loss, sorrow, etc.); and your relational needs (family, friends, etc.) – Luke 9:57-62. This is the path to becoming a ‘Plan B’ Christian. Paul become an ‘Abandon’ Christian after receiving this commission from Jesus: “Wake up! I have spoken to you for this purpose: to appoint you as an ambassador – of the things which you have already seen, and the things which I will yet show you. While delivering you from the world, I am sending you to open their eyes so that they may turn from darkness to light, and from the dominion of Satan to God, in order that they may receive forgiveness of sins, and an inheritance among all the others who have been made pure by faith in Me.” Paul served the church in Ephesus with complete abandon (Acts 20:13-38). “There is no fear in love; but perfect love casts out fear… we love because He first loves us” (I John 4:18-19). We abandon ourselves to Him because He first abandoned Himself to us.