You Can Die Like A Phoenix
“When Christ calls a man, he bids him come and die.”
The Cult of Efficiency
Work smarter, not harder. Isn’t that the mantra for the cult of efficiency? Maximization with minimal effort. Henry Ford’s assembly line, acronyms and abbreviations, and emojis are all an effort to maximize productivity with minimal time/energy. Don’t get me wrong, I think we would fall into folly and poor stewardship to ignore some of these helpful tools. However, can that same philosophy of “less work, more play” apply everywhere? Should that apply to aerospace engineers? How about medicine? Education?
Should we try to manipulate our faith to make it as efficient as we can? Should I figure out the ROI of my morning devotionals? How can I automate my life in order to get the most by doing the least? I would like to suggest that Jesus doesn’t make life easier; he makes it better.
Jesus isn’t calling you to an easy life, he’s calling you to a better one, a new one, a resurrected one. Sometimes better is harder. Higher quality is more expensive. Steak and potatoes take longer than Taco Bell. Eating healthy is hard. Waking up early is hard. Not watching porn is hard. Washing the dishes is hard. Memorizing Scripture is hard. Confessing sin is hard. Having integrity is hard. Being humble is hard. Being crucified is hard. Yet that’s the life we are called to. Where did we get this idea that following Christ is easy? Who told you we weren’t going to sweat? Have you not yet heard of the sacrifice it takes to bear the wonderful title of Christian?
Like A Phoenix
Dietrich Bonhoeffer wrote in The Cost of Discipleship: “When Christ calls a man, he bids him come and die”. What is the cost? Everything. Brother and sister, the prosperity gospel offers you a good, problem-free, pain-free, successful life at no cost. The true gospel offers you a better life for your broken life. What a scandalous exchange.
You might be wondering what is the significance of the phoenix? Two reasons. Firstly, because they are absolutely incredible creatures. Seriously, Google it. Secondly, because of Harry Potter. What an amazing series. Seriously, go watch it. Professor Dumbledore had a phoenix named Fawkes that was comically introduced when he spontaneously combusted to Harry Potter’s horror. Dumbledore reassured Harry that when a phoenix reaches old age, it’ll catch flame and resurrect to new life. Like a phoenix who rises from its ashes, we too can be made new. Die to yourself and rise in Christ. Jesus extends the invitation out to the crowds: “If anyone would come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross daily and follow me” (Luke 9:23). Jesus makes it clear: if you belong to him, you must die to self.
The reason I feel so compelled to explain is because of how lax the American Church has been in matters of obedience and sacrifice. Of course the grace of God is extended to us not by merit, but only by Christ’s substitutionary sacrifice. We cannot earn our salvation. That’s what makes it grace. Bonhoeffer draws a distinction between cheap grace and costly grace. Cheap grace downgrades the cost of Christ on the Cross, costly grace recognizes it as the infinitely valuable sacrifice it was. Again, Bonhoeffer drew out a compelling difference here:
“Cheap grace is the preaching of forgiveness without requiring repentance, baptism without church discipline, communion without confession, absolution without personal confession. Cheap grace is grace without discipleship, grace without the cross, grace without Jesus Christ, living and incarnate.
Costly grace is the treasure hidden in the field; for the sake of it a man will go and sell all that he has. It is the pearl of great price to buy which the merchant will sell all his goods. It is the kingly rule of Christ, for whose sake a man will pluck out the eye which causes him to stumble; it is the call of Jesus Christ at which the disciple leaves his nets and follows him.
Costly grace is the gospel which must be sought again and again, the gift which must be asked for, the door at which a man must knock. Such grace is costly because it calls us to follow, and it is grace because it calls us to follow Jesus Christ. It is costly because it costs a man his life, and it is grace because it gives a man the only true life.
“Casual Christianity”
The life Christ offers is the best. Anyone who has been born again can testify. It may not have been easy, but God knows how much better it is. Therefore, why would one hour every other Sunday be a sufficient sacrifice to Christ? How is an obligatory prayer before dinner showing obedience to God? You are not your own, you were bought with a price (1 Corinthians 6:20). You have been crucified with Christ. It is no longer you who lives, but Christ who lives in you (Galatians 2:20). The saying is trustworthy: If we have died with him, we will also live with him (2 Timothy 2:11). Christian, please consider whether you are giving God your bare minimum or your first fruits? Is He a passing thought or your primary focus? Is the life of Christ everything or just a part of you? Because a compartmentalized Christian is a lie that the world, the flesh, and the devil are trying to sell you. Do not buy it! Either Christ is everything, or he is nothing. There is no such thing as a casual Christian. You cannot kind of be a Christian. He is either Lord of your life or not. And I pray that He is because life with Jesus is better.