The Seed Blog: The Cost of Discipleship

How much happiness and tension release do you think a soldier has as they leave everything behind to live and possibly die in uncertainty and danger? How much pleasure and peace does a firefighter have as they struggle blindly through a burning house to a motionless child? How much better does a policeman have it than someone making triple his pay while he fights in mortal combat to protect people who hate him? They do it because they know it is of the utmost importance. They do it because if they don’t, no one else probably will. They do it because they know the worth of those they are saving. And that inner joy and satisfaction is unfathomably bigger than a life of fun, successes, rewards, or even acceptance.

Take in to God’s Word: Do you think you were called to a more exciting and happy life when you accepted Christ? In a world that hates Him? Matthew 16:24-25. Do you feel that you must be a bad Christian because some people wrongly accuse you of being unloving or bigoted—even when you genuinely love them and care about them? Just because you cannot agree with something they support: Luke 6:22-23, 26. Do you think it is a poor choice of lifestyles to pour yourself into God’s Work? Even if it brings hardship, loss of some pleasures, and even the rejection by some that you love? Romans 8:18-19; 2 Corinthians 4:7-10, 17-18; John 16:22.
Think on this for a moment: The world hated Jesus so much they murdered Him. And in case you didn’t notice (France/Olympics), the whole world seems to still feel the same today. Jesus made this proclamation to His people: John 15:18-21. Why do we think that we get a pass? Why is our relationship with Christ supposed to bring only blessing, peace and happiness? When there have been over 70 million Christians killed since the Death and Resurrection of Jesus for His Name—more than half of those murdered were in the last century. An estimated 1 million just from 2001 to 2010, and about 900,000 from 2011 to 2020. How are we justified in expecting and even being angry when we don’t get rewarded as His disciples with happier, more blessed, successful, easy lives? Jesus is not trying to desperately sell you something or to make Himself popular by making your life easier and more successful. The Scriptures are not written to give success seminars. The Bible is not a self-help book or a get rich quick scheme. The Scriptures are a True Story of a terrible tragedy in betrayal, hatred and rebellion, that resulted in the War of all Wars, being fought for the very souls of every man and woman ever born, tearing the creation apart at the seams. This War is actually so dire that the biggest casualty—the greatest cost has been the actual life of the Son of God Himself. You and I are dead in the middle of this war. Not by choice, by necessity.
Stop expecting the life of a true disciple to make your life more enjoyable, happy and easy. You are at war with the most powerful, hateful, cunning foe in history. A War that will be raged against us whether you sit happily and blindly in death or you go out exhausted & raging against the enemy for your King to your last breath. I for one will have much more satisfaction much deeper joy and contentment knowing I gave all for the King Who gave all for me; knowing I cared enough to join my King in His struggles. Rather than be upset because my life wasn’t happy enough in the middle of the greatest War of the Ages. I choose purpose in Christ and love for others, even to my detriment. That is real living. Philippians 1:21-22; Galatians 2:20. Stop expecting everyone to like you. Stop expecting to get no criticism or hatred just because you are trying to do right or love sincerely. John 15:19-21. If you feel a Christian should be loved by all or you are probably not being like Christ, then please listen to how Jesus himself explains that you will not be liked by everyone: John 15:19-21. If being liked, being nice is your goal you probably are not being what he called you to be. C.S. Lewis put this masterfully in his book, The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe describing Aslan (Jesus): “Aslan is a lion- the Lion, the great Lion." "Ooh" said Susan. "I'd thought he was a man. Is he-quite safe? I shall feel rather nervous about meeting a lion"..."Safe?" said Mr Beaver ..."Who said anything about safe? 'Course he isn't safe. But he's good. He's the King, I tell you.” If you truly live for Christ, no matter how lovingly, you will be hated and spoken poorly of by some. Because Jesus was hated for how He lived, spoke, and loved. Jesus’ Message challenged everything about our fallen and rebellious state of heart and mind, because Jesus shows us that we are fallen and lost; that we need help; that we are not okay as we are, and that is offensive to those who love self, more than Him. But if Jesus did not speak this way, did not respond this way in real love, but openly, honestly, painfully at times, why did He even come? Why did He suffer torture to save us from these things? Why did He hate these things so much that He would die to free us from them, just to leave us in their grip because He didn’t want to seem unloving? His Message is that we are not okay, but that we are loved anyway. And that He is here to make us okay if we will turn away from the lies that have hurt us and trust Him. There is no Gospel, no Good News without seeing that we are fallen first. Luke 10:16: If Christ is rejected constantly by this world today, but you never seem to be, where does that place you in His eyes, His plan? 2 Timothy 3:12-14. It is not only okay to be hated by some, it is an unwanted necessity in a world that hates Him. All who love Him will suffer persecution.
If He truly is Lord of your life—if we are really living in a fallen and God-hating world, if the people He died to save and forgive truly are in need of hearing—they are lost, broken, sinful, selfish and rebellious, or they can never see why they need Him so desperately, never see the wonder in His created ways—and yet we as His disciples are so very worried that we may not experience enough acceptance, pleasure and happiness in this life (even though we know better than anyone the true war raging around us)—maybe it’s you who has missed what is truly important. Maybe you are the one that does not have enough selfless love for your God and those lost. Maybe it’s you who will not be honest—even in the face of dislike or loss, in hopes the world will see their need of a Savior, because it is not by sympathy, understanding and justifying the world’s sins that will save their soul from the sickness of sin and help them see a better way. It is the Blood of the only One Who loved them enough to die for them; the One they need to learn to trust above themselves, not make Him become one with our sickness.  We have a complete misunderstanding of what Scriptures mean when they say: 2 Corinthians 5:15. He gave His whole life for you to live. If your only thought is that He would never want you to lose a bit of happiness in your life. He would never want me to miss some enjoyment. You have no idea Who He truly Is and how much He truly deserves, and what He expects of us in love and thanksgiving. There is a massive and critical difference between being happy in the moment in your circumstances, and having a deep sense of contentment, joy and fulfillment, in your life, purpose and accomplishments for your King. Do you honestly think the disciples of Jesus led a happy, carefree, pleasure-filled life? What about the literal millions who have been persecuted, hated, homeless, hungry, tortured, raped, killed? Even right this moment? Jesus made it clear that the true test of whether you love Him is how you will respond when that love costs you something, not if knowing Him make you happier and blessed just as you are: Philippians 3:7; Luke 14:25-27.
How can a truly changed and devoted disciple of Jesus live completely contented, happy and friendly with this world and still feel they are loving and representing Jesus to the lost; feel they even love Jesus with a true heart? We are living in the last, darkest days of a fallen, sin-filled world destined for Judgment. How do you think it looks to God right now? Should this be the recipe for living a happier life now? Should this be a world where we have no rejection or hatred against us? So, what is the benefit and joy of accepting Christ in this world? Jesus received His truest joy in the middle of His suffering in His battle in being despised—knowing that He saved us; knowing that He pleased His Father so greatly; knowing the difference His sacrifice made, even in the midst of the pain. The joy in being a Christian in such a difficult and costly time comes by knowing all Jesus did for us (we are this loved); by giving complete surrender to Him (especially at such a high cost) knowing the gift means even more to Him’ by seeing the people who come to really know and understand His love and truth through your trials; by knowing what is just around the river bend for us all: 1 Peter 4:13. By having His real love, presence, and power in my life; by having His sustenance when I’m empty; by having His hope when I am hollow: 1 Peter 4:14. Don’t let your measure or fulfillment in life be ‘Am I happy? How many people like me? Did I upset anyone?’ Scriptures never proclaim this is our goal or calling. Jesus nor His Followers ever feel this way. These questions focus on no one but you. Even when it is tough and unrewarding for a time—just as a soldier in a warzone—you can have contentment, purpose and real joy, even in the pains of the battle. A radical willingness to endure hardships—even be disliked in return for your love given—is the only real life given to Christ. He says you will be hated for My Name Sake. I will love the world, right where it is, in its deep sin, even to my own pain and detriment to the end. But I will never step over God’s line just to join the world in acceptance of its sin. otherwise, I do not really love or really trust Christ. And I give the world nothing of value to reach for—no true light to follow—when they are finally convicted. Can I have true joy in the midst of sadness and difficulty? Can we continue to speak for Him and serve Him when we are lied about, hated and abused? Let’s see: Acts 5:40-42.