If anyone comes to me and does not hate his father and mother, his wife and children, his brothers and sisters—yes, even his own life—he cannot be my disciple.
And anyone who does not carry his cross and follow me cannot be my disciple. (Luke 14:26 – 27 NIV)
Mother Theresa is quoted, “If this is how you treat your friends, no wonder you have so few”
In the old testament, Job, was a man of whom God said, ...‘There is no one on earth like him; he is blameless and upright, a man who fears God and shuns evil. (Job 1: 8 NIV)...And yet God let Satan take away everything Job had – his family, possessions, his health
It’s a sobering to think that being a child of God does not insulate you from pain, hurt, distress, poverty, and illness. It is not an easy Walk. We are constantly swimming against the tide, faced with tough choices the consequences of which hurt, isolate, or in some cases even cost us our lives. Jesus tells us in John 16: 33, “In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world."
And non-Christians say that Christianity is for the weak… a crutch? I don’t think so
A few months ago, a friend was diagnosed with Schizophrenia; she has now been ‘Sectioned’. In England, this happens when a person with “mental disorder" is admitted to hospital against their will under the Mental Health Act. A patient can be sectioned if they are perceived to be a threat to themselves or other people.
Most of us, are reeling from the shock of this news. You see, my friend has a burning passion for God’s work. It’s what she lives for. For as long as I’ve known her, she has always been involved in evangelism. She headed up her University’s Christian Union, then went on to train with the ‘Jesus Army’ for a year, went preaching in Europe and when she came back to London, set up a bible study group, carried on with street evangelism, even worked in the Church. She constantly challenged us friends to live holy lives and win souls for Jesus.
It seems to me that the more you draw attention to yourself in God’s Kingdom the more likely you are to be a target. This is the reason I am reluctant to throw myself wholeheartedly into God’s work. I’d rather be anywhere but on the 'Front line'. To be totally honest, I love myself, my family, my friends and reputation too much. I’m not willing to bear the cost of being a disciple. I am a coward. Does this make me any less Christian?
Is there any such thing as a selfish cowardly Christian?
Peter is recorded as the biggest coward in the New Testament. At the time of Jesus arrest, in order to save his own skin, Peter denied that he knew Jesus, not once, but THREE times! In Matthew 26: 74 it is recorded that he went so far as to '...call down curses on himself and he swore to them, "I don't know the man!" However, a few months later, this same man, Peter stood up in front of a crowd and bore witness to Jesus, with so much passion that 3000 men converted that day. He went on to face intense persecution both within and outside the church. But this was only possible after the Jesus had affirmed him and he had been baptised in the Holy Spirit on Pentecost.
With God all things are possible. We cannot be disciples, without the help of the Holy Spirit. All it takes is willingness on our part, and then complete dependence on God to help us follow through on our decision.
I wish cowardice could disappear in an instant, but alas it doesn't. Even in Peter we see echoes of cowardice in his behaviour post 'Acts of the Apostles'. Paul records in Galations 1: 11- 13
'When Peter came to Antioch, I opposed him to his face, because he was clearly in the wrong. Before certain men came from James, he used to eat with the Gentiles. But when they arrived, he began to draw back and separate himself from the Gentiles because he was afraid of those who belonged to the circumcision group.'
There is a lot we can learn from Peter. After all, we are not perfect. All have flaws and weaknesses. In my case, it is cowardice, for others it may be something different. Others learn how to overcome their weaknesses quickly, some like me, are still crippled by them. The fact is, I DO want to live a holy life that honours and glorifies God and I DO want to win as many people for Jesus... I'm just not sure whether I am willing to pay the price. Kind of like when an overweight person wants to lose weight, but is not willing to pay the price of self discipline and unlearn the bad habits that got them into the situation in the first place.
There are no short cuts in life. Everything has a price. Sometimes ... the burden is light and yoke easy... but other times IT JUST ISN'T!
All I know is that when the time of reckoning comes, and I am faced with the choice to bear the cost of discipleship (and I know the time will come) I hope that God will help me make the right decision.
“Naked I came from my mother's womb, and naked I will depart. The LORD gave and the LORD has taken away; may the name of the LORD be praised." (Job 1:22 NIV)
