For All the Right Reasons

Taking up your cross is the choice that keeps on shelling out.

That’s why Jesus encouraged His disciples to do it. But I think too many of us are deceiving ourselves about what it really takes to lay down our lives for His sake.

“...If anyone wishes to come after Me, he must deny himself, and take up his cross and follow Me. For whoever wishes to save his life [ψυχή: soul, being, life] will lose it, but whoever loses his life for My sake will find it. For what will it profit a man if he gains the whole world and forfeits his soul? [ψυχή: soul, being, life] Or what will a man give in exchange for his soul? For the Son of Man is going to come in the glory of His Father—with His angels, and will then repay every man according to his deeds.” [Matt. 16:24-27] [my emphasis or additions]

I didn’t notice any instructions here to join a congregation and lend a hand once in a while.

Of course, becoming part of a congregation is a natural consequence of the Spirit at work in each of us. Fellowship and generosity are a vital part of the marrow existing inside the bones of His Body. Without them, that Body would be severely compromised.

On the other hand though, Jesus never suggested that discipleship is demonstrated predominately through charitable behavior.

Giving is easy—especially if I have something to spare.

For what man is denying himself who finds some time to show up and help out when convenience permits? It might even be that he doesn’t have to start driving an older vehicle or sell all his toys. But, if he truly wants to examine what he might be willing to give up in exchange for his life, perhaps he should reevaluate the significance of what he continues to treasure in his bubble of privacy.

I didn’t used to realize that I’d never reap the precious life I thought was already mine until I actually practiced what Jesus and His disciples spoke about.

So reaping rewards from Jesus Christ when He returns used to be irrelevant to me because I had no understanding about how His good news about God’s kingdom was connected to reaping. [see: Matt. 16:27; Gal. 6:7-8]

There will be reapers and there will be weepers.

The call to discipleship is the opportunity to reap. But the greatest stumbling block to God’s people for reaping abundantly in Christ’s kingdom won’t be for their lack of generosity.

It’ll be their lack of tenacity.