You Have What It Takes! - May 4, 2011

Good Wednesday morning! Today the morning actually feels like a spring morning. And the season is only half gone, how did we get so fortunate? The SEAL teams are getting a recruiting boost now thanks to their successful operation on Sunday. Of course the number one question is: do you have what it takes to become a SEAL? At my age that question is easy to answer. At a younger age in my life, I might have tried out first before realizing the answer. Another question in a similar vein is: do you have what it takes to be a Christian? Jesus told the disciples that anyone who wants to follow him should first count the cost.

This 'cost' is another one of those English words that gets abused. Jesus didn't mean that becoming a Christ-one was like a country club where a person needs a minimum pile of loot to join. Some cults have abused that in the same way by having applicants give up all of their material possessions to the cult. Usually someone at the top of the cult gets to enjoy the proceeds from all of those material goods. Jesus may not ask for all of your material goods in that way. Rich folks might remain wealthy by giving their lives to Christ. Poor folks may not become rich by giving their lives to Christ. There is no rigorous physical and mental test to becoming a Christ-one in the manner that SEALs go through in their training. There is no vote by the membership like you may find at a country club. No one is born into Christ's family, but no one who asks is refused either. All of us have passed the initial qualification since everyone must be born a sinner in order to need salvation.

Once accepted by Christ, and all who seek him shall find a Savior, a person cannot be voted out. A person can be tempted to quit, but Christ holds us with an everlasting grip. A Christ-one will face intense physical and mental trials in the training, but God gives us the strength to endure. A Christ-one who loses his life for Jesus is promised both that he will find it and that his eternal life is safe in Christ. Finally, a Christ-one is recruited with the assurance that the world will hate her as it hated Christ first. Don't see many recruiting posters like that in the world. Why would anyone join this particular army? Search the gospels and see what else Jesus had to say about believing in the Christ: Matthew 11:28-30 is a good place to start, and John 3:16 is the promise we all love.

Have a great new day in Christ Jesus!

Bucky