Get-rich-quick spiritual formation vs. the real deal.
Imagine a school that promised "easy As."
Imagine a gym that promised "no-sweat fitness."
Imagine a business that told us we could "get rich quick, no effort required!"
We know these are fraudulent offers. A valuable education involves struggle and challenge. A transformative workout requires sweat and discomfort. It takes hard work to run a profitable business.
Now these false promises are just as bad, if not worse, when it comes to the Christian life. Because now we're bringing God's name and reputation into question.
Let me ask you: how many discipleship programs involve eating a donut and listening to an entertaining speaker? Personally, I've been to a lot of Christian activities that looked like this. All that was asked of me was to show up, sit down, listen attentively, and maybe take notes.
But in all seriousness, how can that kind of program possibly change our lives?
As Jesus told the "great crowds" in Luke 14:27, "Whoever does not bear his own cross and come after me cannot be my disciple." Jesus wasn't interested in a stadium full of people who were entertained by him. That was irrelevant.
So he invited his disciples to "count the cost" (see Luke 14:28-35).
Because Jesus sought disciples who would imitate his life of sacrificial love.
**Passive Christianity is incompatible with God's mission.**
So reading these lessons isn't enough.
The more action you take, the more transformation you'll experience.
Here are some next steps you can take, from easiest to hardest, to help you move forward: 1. Praying about what you learn 2. Writing down your thoughts 3. Sharing your thoughts with a friend 4. Sharing your thoughts with the community 5. Making a plan to do something differently 6. Taking action to love God and your neighbors 7. Building the habit of taking these actions
Now great crowds were traveling with him. So he turned and said to them: "If anyone comes to me and does not hate his own father and mother, wife and children, brothers and sisters—yes, and even his own life—he cannot be my disciple. Whoever does not bear his own cross and come after me cannot be my disciple. "For which of you, wanting to build a tower, doesn't first sit down and calculate the cost to see if he has enough to complete it? Otherwise, after he has laid the foundation and cannot finish it, all the onlookers will begin to ridicule him, saying, 'This man started to build and wasn't able to finish.' "Or what king, going to war against another king, will not first sit down and decide if he is able with ten thousand to oppose the one who comes against him with twenty thousand? If not, while the other is still far off, he sends a delegation and asks for terms of peace. In the same way, therefore, every one of you who does not renounce all his possessions cannot be my disciple."
What has been your experience with 'passive Christianity'? How has it affected your spiritual growth?
Have you 'counted the cost' of following Jesus? What has that cost you? What might it still cost?
Which of the seven action steps listed do you need to focus on most?
Take 10 minutes to honestly assess what following Jesus has cost you—and what it might cost you in the future. Write it down.
From the seven action steps listed, which one will you commit to for this course? Tell someone your commitment.
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