11. THE DISADVANTAGES OF BEING A CHRISTIAN
We talk about the joys of salvation. We talk about the blessings of discipleship. We talk about the advantages of being a Christian. There is another side to this, however, and to be absolutely honest, we must present it. There are limitations in salvation. There are demands in discipleship. There are disadvantages in being a Christian.
This may sound like a sacrilegious paradox, but it’s not! Christ, himself, emphasized the requirements more than the did the benefits. He said devotion costs. “None of you can be My disciple who does not give up all his own possessions” (Luke 14:33).
He said once you’ve made an irrevocable commitment; some choices are no longer available to you. “No one, after putting his hand to the plow and looking back, is fit for the kingdom of God” (Luke 9:62).
As Christians, we have to be better than average. As Christians, we must outlive the ordinary person. As Christians, we can’t just continue doing what comes naturally.
We’ve moved beyond the natural realm. We’re in the “spiritual” realm and thus more is expected of us. “From everyone who has been given much shall much be required . . .” (Luke 12:48).
So, what are the disadvantages of being a Christian?
I. SELFISHNESS IS OUT.
You see, it’s “normal” to be selfish, but as Christians, we no longer have that option. Paul said, “Let each of us please his neighbor . . .” (Rom. 15:2).
John said, “We ought to lay down our lives for the brethren” (I John 3:16).
Being preoccupied with our own selves is sinful. Some people are unbelievably conceited. One such gentleman wrote to his sweetheart. “Dear Sue: It was great to be with you the other night. By the way, I remember asking you to marry me, but I’ve forgotten whether you said yes or no.”
Later, he received this reply. “Dear John: It was nice to hear from you. I knew I’d said no to someone, but I’d forgotten who it was.”
Yes, it’s “normal” to be selfish. Looking out for “Number One” may be human nature. Self-preservation may be based on instinct. Nevertheless, as Christians we must have higher ideals.
1. We can’t be egotistical. “Now we who are strong ought to bear the weaknesses of those without strength and not just please ourselves” (Rom. 15:1).
2. We can’t be insensitive. “But whoever has the world’s goods, and beholds his brother in need and closes his heart against him, how does the love of God abide in him?” (I John 3:17).
3. We can’t be unconcerned. “Do not merely look out for your own personal interests, but also for the interests of others” (Phil. 2:4).
4. We can’t be greedy. “Let no one seek his own good, but that of his neighbor” (I Cor. 10:24).
5. We can’t be envious. “Love is . . . not jealous . . .” (I Cor. 13:4).
6. We can’t be self-righteous. “If we say that we have no sin, we are deceiving ourselves, and the truth is not in us . . .” (John 1:8).
7. We can’t always be popular. “Woe to you when all men speak well of you, for in the same way their fathers used to treat the false prophets” (Luke 6:26).
So you see, as Christians we can’t choose our occupations by income alone. We can’t vote our pocketbooks. We can’t feather our own nests at the expense of others. Unselfishness is required. Selfishness is out. That’s one of the disadvantages of being a Christian.
II. DEFENSIVENESS IS OUT.
Now, it’s “normal” to be defensive, but as Christians we no longer have that option. Jesus said, “Do not resist him who is evil; but whoever slaps you on your right cheek, turn to him the other also” (Matt. 5:39).
Paul said, “Never take your own revenge, beloved . . . If your enemy is hungry, feed him, and if he is thirsty, give him a drink . . .” (Rom. 12:19-20).
“See that no one repays another with evil for evil, but always seek after that which is good . . .” (I Thess. 5:15).
Being reactionary is sinful. Some people are unbelievably touchy. They’re like the rhinoceros. They say this belligerent animal can smell and hear quite well, but it can’t see clearly. Therefore it takes no chances and immediately charges anything that comes near, be it human, animal or tank. Such defensiveness can be fatal.
The porcupine is another defensive animal. It has needle sharp quills and it uses them. Other animals yield out of fear, not respect. It’s true the porcupine is never kicked, but then again, it’s never petted or stroked either!
Yes, it’s “normal” to be defensive. Lashing out and hitting back may be automatic responses. Protecting ourselves and blaming others may be normal behavior. Nevertheless, as Christians, we must be different.
1. We can’t be negative. “Whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is of good repute . . . let your mind dwell on these things” (Phil. 4:8).
2. We can’t be critical. “Malign no one . . . be uncontentious, gentle . . .” (Titus 3:2).
If you were given a dollar for every kind word and charged a dollar for every critical word, would you be rich or poor? Think about it!
3. We can’t gossip. “Do not speak against one another, brethren” (James 4:11).
4. We can’t be judgmental. “Do not judge lest you be judged” (Matt. 7:1).
You’re not qualified to judge. Only God knows all the circumstances.
5. We can’t hate. “But I say to you, love your enemies, and pray for those who persecute you” (Matt. 5:44).
6. We can’t retaliate. “Let all be harmonious, sympathetic, brotherly, kindhearted, and humble in spirit” (I Peter 3:8-9).
7. We can’t get even. “Never pay back evil for evil to anyone” (Rom. 12:17).
You’ve heard, “Don’t get mad, get even!” Well it’s impossible. An eye for an eye doesn’t restore sight. It simply blinds two men. Revenge never makes things better. It always makes things worse.
We can’t justify our actions by saying, “Well, he had it coming.” We must operate by mercy.
A Muslim servant accompanied a missionary on a trip, but he totally refused to accept the Gospel. On the way, they had car trouble and tried frantically to wave down a passing truck carrying two men, but to no avail. Finally, the missionary got the car started, and they had not gone far when they came upon the truck with the two men who had failed to help them. Ironically, it was stalled! The Muslim was gleeful, “Now, we can pay those fellows back. They passed us up and we’ll pass them up.” “Oh, no,” the missionary said. “We must stop and help them.”
After they had given aid and were on their way again, the Muslim said to the missionary, “Sir, now I begin to understand what you have been trying to tell me. The Gospel is about a Christ who came to help not his friends, but his enemies.”
Yes, forgiveness is required. Defensiveness is out. That’s another disadvantage of being a Christian.
III. MEDIOCRITY IS OUT.
It’s “normal” to be mediocre; but as Christians we no longer have that option. Paul said, “Be devoted . . . not lagging behind in diligence, fervent in spirit, serving the Lord” (Rom. 12:10-11).
John said, “I know your deeds, that you are neither cold nor hot; . . . I will (spew) you out of My mouth” (Rev. 3:15,16).
Being only fair or “so so” is sinful. Once, some of Teddy Roosevelt’s supporters called him a great, extra-ordinary man. When the president heard them, he said, “Oh, no,” I’m not a great extra-ordinary man. I’m just a plain, ordinary man, highly motivated.”
Yes, it’s “normal” to be mediocre. Inertia is a principle of the physical world. Even water runs downhill. Laziness is a constant temptation of mankind. Nevertheless, as Christians we must overcome these tendencies.
1. We can’t be complacent. “Whoever does not carry his own cross and come after Me cannot be My disciple” (Luke 14:27).
2. We can’t be half-hearted. “No servant can serve two masters; for either he will hate the one, and love the other . . .” (Luke 16:13).
3. We can’t be apathetic. “Whatever you do, do your work heartily, as for the Lord rather than for men” (Col. 3:23).
We can’t just look the other way.
4. We can’t be uninvolved. “For we are God’s fellow workers; you are God’s field, God’s building” (I Cor. 3:9).
5. We can’t be conforming. “Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind . . .” (Rom. 12:2).
6. We can’t be careless. “The one who says, `I have come to know Him,’ and does not keep His commandments, is a liar, and the truth is not in him” (I John 2:4).
7. We can’t be unethical. “Anyone who goes too far and does not abide in the teaching of Christ, does not have God” (II John 9).
So, you see, as Christians, we can’t be clock watchers. We can’t give the least effort for the most returns. The needs are great; the possibilities are endless; the fields have never been whiter. We lack laborers for the harvest. Excellence is in. Mediocrity is out. That’s another disadvantage of being a Christian.
Yes, indeed, being a Christian can really put a cramp in your style. Jesus said, “But I say to you . . . love your enemies, do good to those who hate you, bless those who curse you, pray for those who mistreat you. Whoever hits you on the cheek, offer him the other also; and whoever takes away your coat, do not withhold your shirt from him either. Give to everyone who asks of you, and whoever takes away what is yours, do not demand it back. And just as you want people to treat you, treat them in the same way. And if you love those who love you, what credit is that to you? For even sinners love those who love them. And if you do good to those who do good to you, what credit is that to you? For even sinners do the same. And if you lend to those from whom you expect to receive, what credit is that to you? Even sinners lend to sinners, in order to receive back the same amount. But love your enemies, and do good, and lend, expecting nothing in return; and your reward will be great, and you will be sons of the Most High; for He Himself is kind to ungrateful and evil men. Be merciful, just as your Father is merciful. And do not judge and you will not be judged; and do not condemn, and you will not be condemned; pardon, and you will be pardoned” (Luke 6:27-37).
Yes, indeed, there are disadvantages in being a Christian. Paul said, We are no longer our own and therefore we have greater responsibilities. “Do you not know that . . . you are not your own? For you have been bought with a price: therefore glorify God in your body” (I Cor. 6:19-20).
A Japanese missionary was going home one night when he saw a would-be-suicide climb up on a bridge and jump into the river. The missionary dived in, dragged him out, took him home, nursed him back to health, fed him and found him a job.
Then, he said, “You can stay here or you can live elsewhere; but remember this, from now on your life no longer belongs to you. I saved it, so it belongs to me. Therefore, you must report to me regularly on what you’ve been doing with `my life.’ “ Surprisingly, the man made good. He became a successful professional. Years later, he finally got up the courage to ask his benefactor a question. “I know you saved me from death and helped me tremendously; but where did you get the notion that my life no longer belongs to me?” “That’s not a notion,” the Japanese missionary replied. “That’s the truth. In fact, my life doesn’t really belong to me. It was given to me by God and I must stand before him and tell him what I’ve done with it!” “He died for all, that they who live should terno longer live for themselves, but for Him who died and rose again on their behalf” (II Cor. 5:15).
Have you used all the time, talents, energy and opportunities God has given you?
From: Special Requests from People In the Pew, Vol. I, Problems and Temptations, by Maralene and Miles Wesner, Diversity Press, 1990 (Plastic Comb binding).
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