Philippians 3:8 - Yet indeed I also count all things loss for the excellence of the knowledge of Christ Jesus my Lord, for whom I have suffered the loss of all things, and count them as rubbish, that I may gain Christ.
I think it was Glenn Beck who first made mention this past summer of Dietrich Bonhoeffer's book The Cost of Discipleship. I just know that a very good friend suggested I read it. I had already considered it, so her suggestion pushed me to get out and buy it. One cost might be summed up in the phrase count it but loss. But let me tell you, if we choose to be determined to do that, we will have help.
I think of Pentecost and the disciples turned apostles. Jesus had ascended to heaven then returned to appear one last time before the disciples. He explained what all that had happened meant and told them to wait in Jerusalem until where they would be endued with the power of the Holy Spirit (Luke 24:49). Then they would be ready to be loosed into the world, to preach and teach Christ Jesus through the power of God, not in their own strength.
And then I recall Paul who could not contain himself in his witness of Jesus Christ whom he had seen with his own eyes and listened and learned from Him. There are several books in the Bible called the Prison Epistles written by Paul during his times in prison to document this. He did not complain about his ordeals. Nothing was more important than his determination to share Christ...which he did. He was prepared to give his life for the sake of the Gospel and in time became a martyr.
I wonder where I stand? We've been so far removed from those days it's hard to fathom being in that type of circumstance. There could come a day when our faith is put on the line but it's hard to imagine. Yet there are some today who are missionaries in remote parts of the world and who are willing to give their lives. My brother-in-law is one and he has been in some tough circumstances. But he labors in the love of Christ. And when I picture him I picture his great big smile!
Remember, this Paul was once Saul, a Pharisee who would not listen to reports of this Messiah who did not conform to his idea what a messiah would look like. As Saul he persecuted Christians and their way of thinking. His life--and his name--however, was so changed by the power of God, he became dedicated to Christ, so much so that he was willing to count his life as loss. We are told to do this...not necessarily literally, although that can happen, but spiritually: The man who loves his life will lose it, while the man who hates his life in this world will keep it for eternal life (John 12:25). Our lives should be worth nothing in the worldly sense. The world has little to offer compared to what we can attain through the knowledge of God. We are nothing without Jesus.
What happens if we do count it all but loss? I like what the Word tells us...you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes upon you; and you will be witnesses to Me in Jerusalem, in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth (Acts 1:8). Yes, the Holy Spirit will give us utterance but I believe He will also give us the power to endure whatever might come to us in life. He will help us in that moment of counting it all but loss. We will know, only in part, what Jesus Himself endured for us. However, we first must have a relationship with God to know Him, to understand Him and love Him and understand what we are to sacrifice. Power comes to those who have that relationship. The Word says there comes a day when men's hearts will fail them because of fear (Luke 21:26). Why? Because they haven't known the things of God, were not prepared for the some of the greater troubles of the world and did not have the power of God through the Holy Spirit to help overcome those things.
Boy, this was not anywhere near to what I was going to write!
Back briefly to the Cost of Discipleship. Bonhoeffer's book describes the cost one might have to pay for holding to Christian views, following Christ, and is something some face today as Christianity is being opened up to those in oppressed countries where the name of Jesus is basically forbidden. Who knows that a day might come when we will be faced with circumstances unthinkable. Those in this country who stand firm in Christ in a country slowly pushing God aside for the sake of tolerance and embracing religious diversity could be faced with difficulties, certainly, as is already seen, offense.
“I shall have no right,” Bonhoeffer wrote to Niebuhr before leaving America, “to participate in the reconstruction of Christian life in Germany after the war if I do not share the trials of this time with my people."... Bonhoeffer never regretted this decision, not even in prison, where he wrote in later years: “I am sure of God’s hand and guidance... You must never doubt that I am thankful and glad to go the way which I am being led. My past life is abundantly full of God’s mercy, and, above all sin, stands the forgiving love of the Crucified.” (Emphasis is mine.)
This sounds like something Paul might have written. Bonhoeffer counted it all as loss and we are also if we have come to know Jesus. If we do not we don't know Him. That is a difficult thing to write! Bonhoeffer writes about two forms of grace. I can tell you this, one grace counts it all as loss, while the other does not. More on that some other time. These forms of grace fit right in with counting our lives as nothing, sacrificing ourselves...all for the cause of Jesus Christ and His Gospel message...or not.
Glenn Beck has chosen in his own way to count it all as loss being part of the meager crowd not afraid of the Gospel of Jesus Christ. Mainstream media wouldn't think to bring up this subject knowing full well they would be charged with criticism by many people. And there are many, even some religious leaders, who think Beck is way off base in his boldness. Should there be a time when Beck is stopped, I guarantee, like Paul, he will find another means to speak! He is adamant about this country turning back to God. I don't look at Beck as a Savior and I don't idolize or worship him. But he has found a need to do this considering the direction our once predominantly godly nation has gone and considering this direction could continue to wander farther away from God. Beck chooses to count it all but loss. Is there anyone out there who will do the same?
Stay tuned...
Philippians 1:20 - I eagerly expect and hope that I will in no way be ashamed, but will have sufficient courage so that now as always Christ will be exalted in my body, whether by life or by death.
