So, what is life in Christ supposed to look like? After growing up in a “Christian” home I had a clear picture of what I thought it was supposed to look like, moral, hard working, even tempered (at least most of the time), regular church attender and not just attending but giving of yourself and your money, holding a standard so that those around you knew you were a Christian and so on. But the problem is it feels so right as long as we stay busy enough that we don’t notice that it doesn’t draw us closer to God and humility and dependance but instead builds pride and seeking recognition. It feels so right but seems to me to accomplish very little described in the Word in regards to what a follower of Christ would. We still spend the same time watching our shows, saving (or going into debt) for our stuff and running back and forth from our activities that are the same as those who don’t profess Christ. It seems to me that the call for us to “die to self” and “take up our cross” and “live in the world but not of it” reflects a stark contrast not a close parallel of our non-christian neighbors. If the main difference between us and them is where we are at 9:45 on Sunday morning then how is that the life of a Disciple? I mean sure there are immoral people that we can over shadow but as far as the general populous or even the other religions what’s the difference other then a few words in our creed or doctrinal statement and what building we meet at? If I am to live the life... What does that really look like? Is there a stencil for that? I want step 1, 2, 3. If my life looks so much like “theirs” then what’s the difference? When was the last time we saw a miracle I mean a real one? When was the last time we heard God guide us or direct us? I don’t know about you but when I seek Gods guidance I usually want it but kinda go where I want to, give God credit and then hope I’m right. That’s one of the issues I find with the “Grace” movement that they say we are a new creation the old past away and it’s not about what I do... I agree but the problem as Bonhoeffer addresses in the Cost of Discipleship Grace is the sum of the equation not data for the equation. The difference is huge. Grace is a costly gift that costs us our lives not a freedom to live like everyone else with a confidence in Heaven. I have not figured out what it really looks like to follow Christ but I know that what we claim as the answer isn’t it.
