January 17, 2010

Has your faith cost you anything?

Late in King David's career, he angered the Lord by taking a census of his mighty men, an action that revealed David's trust in his military strength rather than in God (2 Samuel 24). In punishment, the God brought a plague upon Israel, and David was commanded to demonstrate his penance by building an altar to the Lord. To assist David, Araunah freely offered him a threshing floor, oxen, and wood for the sacrifice. David responded, "No, I insist on paying for it. I will not sacrifice to the Lord my God burnt offerings that cost me nothing" (v. 24).

Has your faith cost you anything?

In the late 1930s Dietrich Bonhoeffer safely immigrated to the United States to avoid Hitler's reign of oppression and persecution. He decided, however, to return to Germany and assist his church take a stand against the tyrant. He wrote The Cost of Discipleship and demonstrated his willingness to live out his words when he gave his life rather than submit to Hitler's authority.

Has your faith cost you anything?

"Therefore, I urge you, brothers and sisters, in view of God's mercy, to offer your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God - this is true worship."

I realize that my question for me this week needs to be "Has MY faith cost ME anything?" Therefore, in conclusion, I'm going to reframe the question slightly.

Has OUR faith cost US anything?