October 2012 - There's No Such Thing as a Free Lunch

There’s No Such Thing as a Free Lunch

Well, I’m glad you’re still reading.  My title for this month’s pondering has the possibility of stopping a reader, but since you’re still reading, I believe you to be someone who is willing to be both encouraged and challenged.  You embrace being a disciple of Christ.

The core value we covered on September 23rd was, “Truth that Transforms: we share the truth unashamedly and courageously, not simply to inform but to see change in thought and action.”  I’m trusting that, since you’re reading this, you can “handle the truth.” (Cue Jack Nicholson voice; for those who saw A Few Good Men.)  “Faithful are the wounds of a friend, But the kisses of an enemy are deceitful.” (Prov. 27:6)  Taking this verse in balance, then the truth can hurt but we can be deceived or deceive ourselves into comfort.

The comfort the church, especially in North America, can deceive itself into is in the idea that everything in Christ is free.  Salvation is free.  Grace is free.  Fellowship is free.  “Now, whoa pastor!, all those things are free!” some of you might be thinking or saying.  And, you would be right ... up to a point.  Salvation is free, but Jesus paid the price for it. (1 Cor. 6:20; 7:23)  Grace is free, but its often called upon in a place where little or none exists. (Acts 11:23; 2 Cor. 12:9)  Fellowship is free between believers but often we have to lay down our lives for our friends in small and big ways. (John 15:13)

I bring this all up because as we grow in numbers and maturity it will cost us.  Growing in numbers is great but it may cost you your favourite seat on a Sunday morning; some of your time to help in our burgeoning children’s ministry; showing up early on Sunday to help greet or usher; or numerous other things.  Growing in maturity can cost you time and money in looking after our facility together; time and emotional energy in accountability and discipleship; prayer time in seeking and asking and then seeing His Kingdom on earth as it is in heaven; or many other ways.

Most people celebrate and are inspired by what they consider heroic risk or sacrifice that they see or hear about.  I believe we can see those examples here and even more so.  I believe we can be a people who count the cost and willingly lay down everything for the sake of being Jesus’ disciple. (Luke 14:25-33)  I believe there are heroes in our church who know there is no such thing as a free lunch.

So let’s do it—full of belief, confident that we’re presentable inside and out. Let’s keep a firm grip on the promises that keep us going. He always keeps his word. Let’s see how inventive we can be in encouraging love and helping out, not avoiding worshiping together as some do but spurring each other on, especially as we see the big Day approaching. (Heb. 10:23-25, MSG)

Journeying together with you,

Pastor Merril