Give ourselves to the gospel.

Today's texts: Deuteronomy 30:15-20; Psalm 1; Philemon 1-21; Luke 14:25-33



We often talk about the cost of following Jesus, and rightly so. In this week’s gospel reading Jesus tells us to really get a grasp of what is involved before we commit to his way. We know that the cost of discipleship is very high; am I willing to give my life for the gospel? we may wonder. But the reality for us in Canada is that death for our faith is such a remote possibility that it’s not something that would give us pause before deciding to follow Jesus.

What we may forget is that the giving our life to the gospel is as significant as giving our lives up for it. To give our lives to Jesus and the good news involves huge personal demands. It may not demand our lives or our livelihoods, but it demands that we give who we are and how we live to Jesus as well. This cost needs to be counted as well.

Paul vividly describes the demands of the gospel in his short letter to Philemon. One of Philemon’s slaves, Onesimus, had run away, met Paul, and became a believer. Contrary to everything their culture demanded and expected, Paul asks Philemon to take Onesimus back, not as a slave, but as a brother in Christ!

None of us has a slave we need to welcome back, but we do have broken relationships of one kind or another -- at work, at home, at church -- which the gospel demands that we restore, and not just to the bare minimum but to a depth and fullness not seen outside of the gospel life.

This week's texts: Exodus 32:7-14; Psalm 51:1-11; 1 Timothy 1:12-17; Luke 15:1-10.