THE GOSPEL OF LUKE: - Vital Christianity

100THE COST OF BEING A DISCIPLELuke 14:25-35“Salvation is free, but discipleship costs everything we have.” 1--Billy Graham“Suffering is the true badge of discipleship. The disciple is not above his master.” 2–Dietrich Bonhoeffer“Jesus has many lovers of his heaven, but few bearers of his cross; many thatdesire to partake of his comforts, but few that are willing to share in his distress . . .All are disposed to rejoice with Jesus, but few to suffer sorrow for his sake . . .” 3–Thomas a Kempis“Things have come to a terrible place,” said a famous Englishman testily, “when religionis permitted to interfere with our private lives.” Had this man never read the Bible? Had he neverheard of Isaiah who was sawed in two. Or Stephen who was stoned to death because of hisdedication to his religion? Or James and Paul who were beheaded? Or Peter who was crucifiedupside down? Or the other disciples except John who were all martyred because of theirdedication to their religion—Christianity? Had he never heard about the millions since the earlychurch period who have followed Christ cheerfully to violent death because they did allow theirreligion to interfere with their private lives?Maybe he but expressed openly what some of us feel secretly. Just how radically has ourreligion interfered with the neat pattern of our lives? I believe we live in a day which is sadlycharacterized by superficial Christianity.Why is easy believism so prevalent among us? There are many factors.• The philosophy of our American culture—pragmatism—whatever works isgood--was built upon hope and optimism. Anything that runs counter to anoptimistic view of life is thereby discouraged.• Evangelistic methods which have emphasized salesmanship have crept in wherewe are mistaking dynamic personalities for the power of the Holy Spirit andwhere we are mistaking superficial promises for the demands of discipleship.Christ is offered as a nostrum to cure our ills—a way out of our troubles.