The Cost of Discipleship, by Dietrich Bonheoffer is my favorite book. Not because it’s an easy read, either. I couldn’t finish it the first time I opened it. I felt asking me to die was just "too much” for me. Bonhoeffer kept asking the readers to give up everything for the Kingdom of God.
Everything.
Quite honestly, I wasn't lovesick enough to give up everything. I didn't know how He felt about me, to what ends he would go to pursue me – or how faithfully He would call my name until I responded.
Knowing the Lord was asking me to forsake the many idols to fully pursue Him instead I clung on to them tightly. I closed the book to avoid further convictions.
The Cost was too high. Cheap grace was more my style. Inexpensive grace left me with an understanding that heaven was awaiting me regardless and I could spend this lifetime pursuing my desires the way I deemed best.
I missed something really key, in The Cost of Discipleship.
The Cost of Death.
…
Pursue the Holy Spirit’s presence, or drink too much wine?
Seek out revelations and encounters, or buy some ‘comfort food and console myself "this is what lifes about"
Soak in the Christ’s perfect peace, or rely on drugs to “chill out”.
Wait for the King of kings to speak, or pursue the next relational hook-up?
Bask in the Lord’s intimate knowledge… or be “intimately” known by man?
Know the Faithfulness of the Lord always stands true… "hoping" life turns out okay.
…
The Cost of Death, choosing to pursue the average joe’s idea of a “good time” costs us not only intimacy with our Creator – it destroys us. Robbing life of its fullness, stealing us away from hours of Right Worship in exchange for idol worship.
Bonhoefer is right, Discipleship is costly – Death, however, is much more expensive.
very well said.