Expensive Commitment

Having a hobby can be costly. Whether the hobby is golf, scrap booking, painting, collecting, etc., there is money involved. To be really good at the hobbies the more money that will need to be invested. Golf, for example, will take buying your own clubs and then spending money on the sport of golf to improve your skills. Buying all the special punches, decorative paper, and books for scrap booking can add up as well.

Christianity is not a hobby that one can pick up from time to time and it have much of an impact in your life. It is one that needs to be practiced and used. Too often Christians want to say they are in the "Christian club" but they only are involved "on occasion." They like to take advantage of the benefits, but they do nothing to improve their skills or have any involvement. They forgot to realize that there is a cost involved to being in the "club" and the price is not cheap.

Sunday we looked at Matthew 8:18-22 where Jesus is challenging a couple of men in their quest to follow Him. This is no light challenge from Jesus. He may even come across as insensitive to some. Here are some applications to choose from to use this week...

• Get Real ~ Have you ever looked at something in your life with such a thick filter that you didn't realize you needed to improve? I think there are times when we need to take a hard look at re-evaluate our commitment to our Christian life. Are we willing to be second to others? Are we willing to forgive? Are we willing to share our faith? Now that you're willing...do it!
• What's Your Master? ~ We all have something or someone that masters us. The master may not control you at all times, but they have a heavy influence on you. Generally when that master demands something, you are going to respond. That response may even be consuming your mind with thoughts. If any of those things that may "master" you are pushing away your commitment to Christ, you need to change your focus.
• Comforts versus Commitment ~ What is your priority? Will the comforts of avoiding contact with someone who needs to have a "light" of good news in their dark world take priority over your commitment to be a follower of Christ?
• Cautious, but Not Overcautious ~ To need to get to the other side of a busy street you are not going to simply dart across. Instead, you will make sure it is safe to cross. To follow Christ does not mean that every time we are going to not think about what we're doing. So to be cautious about what you are about to encounter is one thing, but to be so cautious that you do not engage in your commitment to Jesus is how we miss the mark. Or as Jesus says, "let the dead bury their own dead." cf Matthew 8:22

Being involved in Christianity is an expensive commitment. Are we willing to pay the price?

Now it's your turn...what "expenses" have you had to consider in your Christian walk?