Why is it that every gas station in America advertises their gas with a 9/10 at the end? The answer is, to sell more gas. When you drive by a gas station and see $1.95.9/gallon, you probably don’t think $1.96…you think $1.95. The gas station wants to give the perception that the gas is cheaper than it really is, so you buy more gas from them. It’s a marketing tactic, and it works!
Churches often use these same type of tactics and promote a Convenience Store Christianity. We advertise the gospel, for a lesser price, and put the 9/10 in fine print off to the side. We don’t share the true cost of following Christ with those that we are sharing the message with.
We advertise things like…
“Jesus will change your life.”
“Give your life to Jesus, and you’ll have peace.”
“Jesus will give your life meaning.”
“Jesus will give you His spirit that will guide you and direct you.”
“Jesus will make your life better.”
Now don’t get me wrong, all of these benefits are absolutely, 100% true!
But, what about the cost associated with those “benny’s”?
Are we making the cost look less, in order to sell more Christianity? Jesus never gave a false picture of the gospel. There was always truth in advertising. He told us the cost right up front…
A large crowd was following Jesus. He turned around and said to them, “If you want to be my disciple, you must hate everyone else by comparison—your father and mother, wife and children, brothers and sisters—yes, even your own life. Otherwise, you cannot be my disciple. And if you do not carry your own cross and follow me, you cannot be my disciple. “But don’t begin until you count the cost. For who would begin construction of a building without first calculating the cost to see if there is enough money to finish it? Luke 14:25-28
The cost described determines the worth applied. When we soften the cost, we cheapen the worth. I’m all for more seeing people come to Christ. I want our world to experience the grace of our Savior. But, I don’t think the point of the gospel is to raise up an Army of Convenience Store Christians that live a minimum wage life for Christ.
Let’s advertise the true cost of following Christ and raise up an Army that is completely sold out to Him and understanding the cost, the worth and value of our salvation.
Though we’ve never met, Mike, it is funny how similar our thoughts seem to be sometimes. I was considering this same topic on the way home last night. For me, it was sparked when I was listening to the Desiring God pastoral conference Q&A a second time, and I heard one of the pastors describing a baptism where the convert said, “I need to be baptized…my mother is sick.” Talk about an awkward moment, huh?
We want all the perks of a godly father, but the life-changing commitment that comes with it is something I see several believers glossing over. It’s almost as if the perception is that once you accept Christ as your savior publicly, you check that item off your to-do list and go on living as you always have. That is not what Christ called us to do, and that is not an example of any kind of “love”.
The imagery Christ used in this passage of Luke perfectly paints this point, too. Imagine the thing you love most in the world; your kids, your wife, the security of a stable job, the comfort of a warm and inviting home. Then imagine loving Christ so much more than these things, to be so driven to seek his approval and make him proud of you, that by comparison you could only say you hate the worldly things you are so attached to by comparison.
I’ll be honest. I find this a very hard thing to even imagine, but like courting my wife and growing our deep love for each other slowly over time, passion for Christ grows in much the same way. I didn’t convert, as Paul did with a great flash of light that blinded me for days. I didn’t wake up one morning “counting my gains as loss”, but instead, I find myself understanding this depth of love for Christ a little more every day as I trust in him, study his word, and actively seek his direction for my life in prayer that acknowledges his goodness, confesses my failures, and asks for his help.
Stick with it, Mr. Silliman. You’re doing good work!
BH
Thanks Bryan,
I appreciate your comments. I like how you put it…It’s not about loving your wife, your kids, & your family any less. But, it is about loving God more!