Not counting the cost

by Ben

I read Isaiah 40-42.

I began reading Dietrich Bonhoeffer's "The Cost of Discipleship." I'm only into the second chapter and I am left nearly speechless at the way that he describes life in Christ. It is a very humbling experience, as he makes sure to explain the difference between cheap grace and grace that comes at a cost. Citing the stories of the rich young man (Matt. 19) and the testing lawyer (Luke 10), Bonhoeffer makes the point clear about what we as followers of Christ must do in our own lives. We must be willing to give up everything.

Someone once told me the definition of "repent" went much further than asking for forgiveness, as many feel it means today. Instead, they suggested that in older meanings of the word, it meant to do a full about face and to run away from what you were doing. Thus, repentance of a sin would be to actively work against that sin.

Bonhoeffer goes on to talk about a two-part statement in relation to faith:

Only those who believe obey and only those who obey believe.

This statement seems to relate to all who come into contact with the message of the Gospel. For those who have trouble believing, the have only to step out in faith (obedience). For those who have trouble obeying, they must search their beliefs.

Obviously, easier said than done. But this gives us a framework within which to attempt to live out our lives. Yet, it does not put restraints on our faith.

Christ called the disciples, saying, "Follow me." We don't get the psychological background that went into their decision-making process. We don't get whether they had ever heard of Jesus before and went based on his reputation. We just get that they went. They obeyed. That is, they obeyed before they had belief.

Imagine how easy it would have been for them as good Jews to merely sit back in their differing professions and wait for the Almighty to come and make the world right. How easy it would have been to say no. Yet, because they said yes to Christ, they grew in their belief. This pattern is still at work today. I've seen it in my own life. In choosing to work in the church, I have learned more about the call of Christ than I ever could have following my choice in career.

Yet, the other way around works too. As Christians, we are not only called to obey, but we are also called to believe. And belief can lead to obedience. In fact, it must or we become stagnant in our faith. We begin to accept and promote what Bonhoeffer calls "cheap grace." This is accepting Christ's sacrifice as sanctification for our sins, but does not require us to do anything. We cannot let ourselves fall into the trap of the world, which is to have an egocentric view that does not require personal sacrifice.

We must daily take up our cross. We must daily consider God's call on our lives. We must determine what it means for us to sell all of our possessions and give the money to the poor. But in the end, we must follow Christ. Whatever you must sacrifice, sacrifice it so that you may follow Him.