Wednesday, February 22, 2006

The call to come and die

Craig Williams reminds Christians that "the witness of the apostles, of disciples, of the church is accomplished thorugh our agony, conflict, suffering, and ultimately our death, and then our rising to Christ":
The Bible is not a handbook for successful living. In fact it is the story of a people called to suffer and agonize and be conflicted and ultimately die. What is unique about this story, above all other worldly options, both religious and secular, is that it doesn't try to escape suffering, but suffering is uniquely tied to being the people of God. Eventually, all suffering will be overcome in the Kingdom of God, but in the meantime it is the way of salvation.
Amen, and amen. Are you ever tempted to teach or preach an easy, step-by-step "plan of salvation"? I like reading Craig's blog because he reminds readers that the journey of salvation is more than an individual business transaction for acquiring a ticket to heaven. The step-by-step path of salvation is one for the whole church to deny ourselves, take up our crosses, and follow in the steps of Jesus.

4 Comments:

Blogger Rev. Mike said...

What is unique about this story, above all other worldly options, both religious and secular, is that it doesn't try to escape suffering, but suffering is uniquely tied to being the people of God.

Actually, what is unique about this story is that this one is true, and the others aren't. (Sorry, I'm reading Resident Aliens this week, so I'm on a Hauerwas/Willimon kick with every other comment I make on ablog this week!)

8:50 AM, February 22, 2006  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

I think Bonhoeffer too, reminds us of the call to come and die in "The Cost of Discipleship".

12:46 PM, February 22, 2006  
Blogger Milton Stanley said...

You are, of course, correct, Mike!

4:28 PM, February 22, 2006  
Blogger Milton Stanley said...

Yes, Dietrich was certainly no fan of cheap grace.

4:29 PM, February 22, 2006  

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