Evangelism. It’s a an awesome thing to be spreading the gospel of grace to those who need it. As Paul writes, “How beautiful are the feet of those who preach the good news.”
The gospel is not an easy thing to accept. If you think about it, to some extent, the gospel is an offensive message to those blinded by the god of this world. Nobody wants to hear that they are sinful, depraved beings. Nobody wants to hear that they have to change from being the person they are to the person God wants them to be.
I talked to such a person last night.
At first, he bought the gospel. He wanted eternal life. But I started to explain its not becoming a better person, it’s trusting in God to the point that you transfer all that you are and have to all that He is. Your life won’t be your life anymore, it will be God’s life. Your time won’t be your time anymore, it will be God’s time. It’s not going to be what you want to do, it’s going to be about what God wants you to do.
He was shocked, “Wait, you mean if I want to be a Christian, there has to be a radical turn in my life?”
Exactly. I told him about the radical change in my life, the moment where I went from death to life. I used to be dead in my sins, but God, rich in mercy, saved me for his glory. I no longer live in my previosu sins – dishonoring my parents, stealing, running away. The turning point was abandoning my sinful nature and clinging to the new life God has given me. This is the transformation of becoming a new creation. This is the radical turning where salvation is found.
To him, salvation didn’t seem as great anymore. He didn’t want to lose the temporary to gain the eternal, “It’s tough. I don’t think I can do it. I would rather live my life now and face the consequences.”
And he’s right. Becoming a Christian is tough. Jesus once described the work of salvation as impossible, “With man, this is impossible, but with God, all things are possible.” Salvation cost Jesus his life, and it will cost you yours too. Laying down your life is no easy thing.
“So therefore, any one of you who does not renounce all he has cannot be my disciple.” – Luke 14:33
You can’t deviate to become a better person or do more good works to get to heaven. You must completely surrender your life to Christ; you must renounce all you have. That is the cost of Christianity. The paradox here is salvation is a free gift, purchased with the precious blood of Christ, but at the same time, it will cost you your life. You are only free from sin by becoming a slave to Christ.
The cost is high, but the gain is infinite. I hope you will count it.
