When God wants to do an impossible task He takes an impossible man and crushes him.
- Alan Redpath
In modern Churchianity we’re often shocked and offended when our Christian faith not only goes unrewarded but even costs us something. Particularly if it's quite a bit more than we were expecting to pay. Bible passages of courageous faith and stories of heroic strength in the face of suffering only go so far when it's our turn.
In the journey of discovering and experiencing God, if there is a price that will buy us off it may well be offered. If there's a cost too great to pay it may well be the kind of situation we find ourselves encountering. Thankfully, those who are discipled and diligent in seeking and serving God are encouraged to remember, "the temptations in your life are no different from what others experience. And God is faithful. He will not allow the temptation to be more than you can stand. When you are tempted, he will show you a way out so that you can endure."
Few Christians in First World Nations today face or expect to experience physical persecution, much less martyrdom. Sadly, this is not the case worldwide, nor has it always been so in even Christian Nations. Furthermore, the Bible speaks of a time when global persecution will be the norm for those refusing to take part in the economy and politics of the Antichrist. Many believers in the Western World are unconcerned by this, having been taught to expect a secret pre-tribulation rapture in which the church is spared any discomfort or harm. While this is wonderful hope, unfortunately it's not the message of the New Testament. A simple overview of the verses dealing with the topic clearly reveal that it's a mid or nearly post tribulation rapture timeline that Jesus, Paul and John taught.
Still, there are many costs associated with becoming and remaining a Christian besides the threat of physical harm. Given today's onslaught of sin, all believers fight the good fight of faith on three fronts. Remaining obedient to Christ as Savior and Lord requires battling temptation and resistance from within, without and above.
Commitment to paying the cost of deepening sanctification and radical discipleship to Christ is an essential part in seeking and serving God. Only to the degree we do so can we have hope and confidence that our efforts are not in vain. Jesus, the same yesterday, today and forever, still requires all believers follow His example and that of the Apostles to whom He explained:
- "One day when large groups of people were walking along with him, Jesus turned and told them, "Anyone who comes to me but refuses to let go of father, mother, spouse, children, brothers, sisters—yes, even one's own self!—can't be my disciple. Anyone who won't shoulder his own cross and follow behind me can't be my disciple. Luke 14:25-27 The Message
- "Is there anyone here who, planning to build a new house, doesn't first sit down and figure the cost so you'll know if you can complete it? If you only get the foundation laid and then run out of money, you're going to look pretty foolish. Everyone passing by will poke fun at you: 'He started something he couldn't finish.' "Or can you imagine a king going into battle against another king without first deciding whether it is possible with his ten thousand troops to face the twenty thousand troops of the other? And if he decides he can't, won't he send an emissary and work out a truce? "Simply put, if you're not willing to take what is dearest to you, whether plans or people, and kiss it good-bye, you can't be my disciple." Luke 14:28-33 The Message
True Salvation, like birth, is both a process and event. Growth spiritually depends on our willingness to discern between faith and presumption, various gospels and Christs as well as develop living faith and it's additions. It begins, not ends, in our willingness to admit our dependence on a Creator and Savior. Even so, from our first breath of faith to our last on Earth, we must continue the journey we've started or suffer the consequences as Jesus once again warned:
- “Behold, I send you out as sheep in the midst of wolves. Therefore be wise as serpents and harmless as doves. But beware of men, for they will deliver you up to councils and scourge you in their synagogues... And you will be hated by all for My name’s sake. But he who endures to the end will be saved." Matthew 10:16-22
- "Don’t be afraid of what you are about to suffer. The devil will throw some of you into prison to test you. You will suffer for ten days. But if you remain faithful even when facing death, I will give you the crown of life. “Anyone with ears to hear must listen to the Spirit and understand what he is saying to the churches. Whoever is victorious will not be harmed by the second death." Revelation 2:10-11
Crowd of Witnesses
Sadly the vast majority of modern Christians show little or no interest in the rigors of costly discipleship. Prophetic Christians recognize our desperate need for not only individual and corporate renewal and revival if not reformation. These understand the realistic hope requires honesty enough to admit the true extent of our need in light of the Bible’s guidelines for benefiting from God’s supply. They also daily confess any lack of discipline in regards to doubtful habits and/or besetting sins short-circuiting their work and prayers to more fully experience the power of God.
Thankfully for most of us, the price for seeking the presence and power of God is not being measured in sweat and blood. It may however feel like it sometimes. True faith will certainly cost faithful disciples many prayers and tears as we intercede on behalf of ourselves and family, friends and a lost world. It feels like no one's listening and cast a long shadow of sorrow when God's messengers and their message are rejected. Aware of this, God has given us a faithful High Priest and example:
- "Do you see what this means—all these pioneers who blazed the way, all these veterans cheering us on? It means we'd better get on with it. Strip down, start running—and never quit! No extra spiritual fat, no parasitic sins. Keep your eyes on Jesus, who both began and finished this race we're in. Study how he did it. Because he never lost sight of where he was headed—that exhilarating finish in and with God—he could put up with anything along the way: Cross, shame, whatever. And now he's there, in the place of honor, right alongside God. When you find yourselves flagging in your faith, go over that story again, item by item, that long litany of hostility he plowed through. That will shoot adrenaline into your souls! In this all-out match against sin, others have suffered far worse than you, to say nothing of what Jesus went through—all that bloodshed! So don't feel sorry for yourselves." Hebrews 12:1-10 The Message
With "Heaven to gain and Hell to loose" let us be among those who pray and press on to know the Lord. Let us "spur one another on to love and good deeds," remembering the encouragement of scripture:
- "So do not throw away this confident trust in the Lord. Remember the great reward it brings you! Patient endurance is what you need now, so that you will continue to do God’s will. Then you will receive all that he has promised." Hebrews 10:35-38
- "And my righteous ones will live by faith. But I will take no pleasure in anyone who turns away.” But we are not like those who turn away from God to their own destruction. We are the faithful ones, whose souls will be saved." Hebrews 10:38-39
- "God’s discipline is always good for us, so that we might share in his holiness. No discipline is enjoyable while it is happening—it’s painful! But afterward there will be a peaceful harvest of right living for those who are trained in this way. So take a new grip with your tired hands and strengthen your weak knees. Mark out a straight path for your feet so that those who are weak and lame will not fall but become strong." Hebrews 12:10-13
More information
In the Red Dropdown Icon you'll find resources that we hope will both stimulate and facilitate your pursuit of and understanding of the God of the Bible. To get started simply place your cursor on a category of interest and see where it leads. You can also join the discussion in a variety of ways including posting comments to God Blogs as well as making comments or asking questions by email or text.
Copyright 2018 All Rights Reserved