Today's Church, particularly in America, seems to avoid the notion that Christianity is a lifestyle of sacrifice and discipline. Instead of being a Church that values self-control and self-denial, we have become a cushy Church of complacency, indulgence, and singles cruises to Mexico.
Somehow, many of us got the idea that the Christian life should be easy - that He wouldn't want us to suffer, or to sacrifice more than we are comfortable with. Perhaps some of us think that God doesn't expect us to make any real sacrifices; if we give to a brother in need, do we expect God to reimburse us for our inconvenience? Are we ready to follow God even if it means we'll be poor, unkempt or even dead?
We have to examine ourselves. Look around you - America and the Western world are the most affluent societies to ever live on this Earth. Nearly two-thirds of Americans are now overweight. We are surrounded by a materialistic culture which says, "I want it now!" The goals of pleasure and happiness are elevated over the virtues of commitment, patience and perseverance. Have you been infected? Let's look at some things:
Y'shua's (Jesus') Words
"He who loves his father or mother more than Me is not worthy of Me; and he who loves son or daughter more than Me is not worthy of Me. And he who does not take his cross and follow after Me is not worthy of Me. He who has found his life shall lose it, and he who has lost his life for My sake shall find it." - Matt. 10:37-39
What the Bible Says About Money and Possessions
"So therefore, no one of you can be My disciple who does not give up all of his own possessions." - Luke 14:33
"Truly I say to you, it is hard for a rich man to enter the kingdom of heaven. And again I say to you, it is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle, then for a rich man to enter the kingdom of God." - Matt. 19:23,24
"Do not lay up for yourselves treasures upon earth..." - Matt 6:19
"No one can serve two masters; for either he will hate the one and love the other, or he will hold to one and despise the other. You cannot serve God and [money and possessions]." - Matt 6:24
"But woe to you who are rich, for you are receiving your comfort in full." - Luke 6:24
"Sell your possessions and give to charity; make yourselves purses which do not wear out, an unfailing treasure in heaven, where no thief comes near, nor moth destroys. For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also." - Luke 12:33,34
"For we have brought nothing into the world, so we cannot take anything out either. And if we have food and covering, with these we shall be content. But those who want to get rich fall into temptation and a snare and many foolish and harmful desires which plunge men into ruin and destruction. For the love of money is a root of all sorts of evil, and some by longing for it have wandered away from the faith, and pierced themselves with many a pang." - I Tim 6:7-10
"Listen, my beloved brethren: did not God choose the poor of this world to be rich in faith and heirs of the kingdom which He promised to those who love Him? But you have dishonored the poor man. Is it not the rich who oppress you and drag you into court? Do they not blaspheme the fair name by which you have been called?" - James 2:5-7
AND THE LIST GOES ON....
According to the Bible, a person's only basic physical needs are food and clothing (1 Tim 6:8; James 2:15) and God promises to provide these if we seek His kingdom and righteousness first (Matt 6:25-33). Y'shua trusted in God, and at times, had no place to sleep (Matt 8:20). Will we walk as Y'shua walked?
A Life of Undistracted Devotion to the Master
According to some sources, America has the highest marriage, divorce and remarriage rates in the world. That is the kind of culture we live in. Unfortunately, statistics have shown that American Christians are not much different than their non-Christian counterparts. Will you be another statistic? If you are single, why not consider continuing in a life of independence and freedom, in which you can be wholly consecrated to God? No, it's not easy - but neither is marriage. What? You have a strong sex-drive? Good. That means you're human. I know your church will treat you like a second-class citizen, but hey, you're in good company. Y'shua and Sha'ul (Paul) were single! Here's what Sha'ul had to say:
"...it is good for a man not to touch a woman." (I Cor 7:1) "Yet I wish that all men were even as I myself am." (v.7) "But I say to the unmarried and the widows that it is good for them if they remain even as I." (v.8) "One who is unmarried is concerned about the things of the Lord, how he may please the Lord; but one who is married is concerned about the things of the world, how he may please his wife, and his interests are divided. And the woman who is unmarried, and the virgin, is concerned about the things of the Lord, that she may be holy both in the body and spirit; but one who is married is concerned about the things of the world, how she may please her husband. And this I say for your benefit; not to put a restraint upon you, but to promote what is seemly, and to secure undistracted devotion to the Lord." (vv.32-35)
Discipline
And lastly, what every self-denying, cross-carrying Christian needs in order to come into full maturity. Here's why it's so important: