Read the Small Print

 

“Suppose one of you wants to build a tower. Will he not first sit down and estimate the cost to see if he has enough money to complete it?”

—Luke 14:28

Do you get annoyed like I do with ads on TV that either put up their disclaimer in such small print, and for such a short time, that you cannot possibly read it? Or, the announcer speaks so rapidly to fit in the required information that no one can possibly understand it?

These things remind me of Christians—preachers or otherwise—who espouse the benefits, humanly speaking, of belonging to Christ. They talk about things like the peace that passes understanding, eternal life, joy, grace and forgiveness without telling us what He requires of His disciples.

The small print of Jesus’ words say in Mark 8:34:

“If anyone would come after me, he must deny himself and take up his cross and follow me.”

Or, from Paul in Philippians 1:29:

For it has been granted to you on behalf of Christ no only to believe on him, but also to suffer for him.

Or, from Peter in 1 Peter 4:12:

Dear friends, do not be surprised at the painful trial you are suffering, as though something strange were happening to you. But rejoice that you participate in the sufferings of Christ.

If Jesus Himself warned us, and two of His most trusted followers warned us, that suffering belongs with the privilege of knowing Christ, we can be this must be true.

Now, suffering to some degree comes to all who live on the earth. Some struggles come by way of personal sin or from turning away from God. But, some suffering just comes in the natural course of living in a sin-cursed world.

However, I am referring to something different. Bearing Christ’s cross sometimes means suffering the hatred of people who hate Christ and anything He stands for. Some suffering means discrimination because of a strong stand in holy living, or a strong witness for the life-changing power of Jesus. In some places around the globe, simply identifying oneself as a Christian means imprisonment or death.

How far are you prepared to go to obey Christ? To live like He expects you to live? To determine to follow Him no matter the cost? He asks for that kind of commitment from His children.

Yes, He shares the riches of heaven and the Presence of His life within us. But, He also shares with us the privilege of suffering for Him. Woe to those who share the gospel, but hide the small print, or put the “disclaimer” in the contract in such a way that eager followers sign on without counting the cost.

And, what is the result of cost-counting? We read in Romans 8:17:

Now if we are children, then we are heirs—heirs of God and co-heirs with Christ, if indeed we share in his sufferings in order that we may also share in his glory.

Ah! That’s the glory we share—to those who sign on to the small print!