The Price I’ve Paid
In the days of my youth, much emphasis was placed on the altruistic life. Now, I know there is still some of that, but, it seems to me, such ponderings are on the decline. Perhaps it has been ever so, but the current crop is pretty much out for number one. There is not as much dialogue given to the idea of service to a greater cause than self, and, consequently, not as much of it. I believe this shift of emphasis is seen in the church world, as well as, secular society. For example, there was a great deal more preaching on sacrifice for the service of Christ in days gone by. Though it still exists today, there is probably as much preaching on 401Ks.
The Christian life cannot be described in non-sacrificial terms. Each is called to genuine sacrifice for the kingdom of God. This gift of God varies from person to person, but there are commonalities. I once read a sermon entitled “What It Costs to Be a Good Christian.” It expounded the idea that, though salvation is free, the person that pleases God with his life must and will pay a price. Being a good Christian costs, and it ought to cost. Scripture tells us to reckon the tally of following Christ before we make a commitment to do so. Being a good Christian costs money, time and the whole life’s plan. These are reasonable acts of worship.
Our lives belong to God. It is no light thing to surrender your life’s plan to God, but it is necessary for the believer. Paul said he suffered the loss of all things, but was happy to do so. Peter said that he and the other disciples left everything to follow Jesus. Matthew lost his job, Luke his medical practice and Zacchaeus his fortune. If we lightened our loads a little, we might be as happy as they. The expansion and success of the gospel would be unprecedented if we saw such great sacrifice in our time. David said God kept no record of past sins, but Jesus Himself said that each price paid by His followers would be reimbursed. You can’t lose money.
All sacrifice cannot be calculated in dollars and cents. Money isn’t everything, and each of us has something else to give besides. Whatever God has empowered us to give must be something we can’t get back. That is the nature of sacrifice- the definition of cost. David said he would never give anything to God that cost him nothing. Sometimes, believers suffer losses in ethereal matters such as reputation and pedigree. This may even occur in the fellowship of saints as a person follows God’s individual plan for themselves. Especially poignant is a grief unexpected. The emotional price paid in service to Christ may well overshadow everything else.
I thrill to stories of men and women who gave their all for Christ. Actually, many are still doing that very thing. We will never know most of their stories because there will never be a forum to hear them, but there is Someone Who knows. I hope to have a small place among the sacrificial when we are called to recount our days. I want to be in that number. My greatest challenge has been to serve Christ from my strengths. The price of maintaining my identity in ministry has been high enough for me. While I don’t view myself as the ultimate example, I would urge you to do the same. Pay the cost of discipleship and remain yourself. God can use you better that way.
Sterl.
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