But...It's Cheap!

I’m wrestling with a major decision of whether or not to keep a sale item. A hoodie that is lightweight and warm. Not a perfect fit, but it was a bargain. How can you return a less than perfect fit when it is so cheap? After all, the perfect fit could cost seven times that much. Now, I’m smart enough to know that this cute little top would be a perfect fit on a taller, slimmer body (and we won’t say much about that!)…and I’m smart enough to know that a hoodie from a higher end shop will probably fit better. But, here’s the dilemma: I like the price. I like the fact that it only cost $7. I don’t want to pay more.

Am I willing to sacrifice a slightly imperfect fit so that I don’t have to put more into the purchase? Because it cost me little, will I settle for less than perfect? Do I care enough to put ‘more’ into the purchase in order to have ‘more’…hmmmm?

We can ask the same questions regarding our spiritual walk with the Lord. Most of us like the cheap way out. My flesh says, "Don’t die out to self because it will cost too much". Crucifying the flesh sounds easy for the apostle Paul, but, he doesn’t realize how hard that is to do in my day!

What does it cost to have excellence in your sprit-life?
1.  A desire to have more…to become more...is required.
2.  A willingness to pay more.

It’s easy to settle for little from the Lord and function as though we have attained all He has to offer. It’s easy to give little of ourselves and appear anointed. We know how to make the inexpensive look good.  Decorate any simple item of clothing with stunning jewlery and we've made the inexpensive look good.  Added to our confession of Christ is a little religious jargon, a belt of bling, and a colorful shield of faith.   But when push comes to shove we are as the disciples in the boat...in the storm...and scolded by Jesus for having little faith.

When we settle for less we have little power and our prayers don’t reach beyond the ceiling. We believe in Jesus.  We believe the Word.   But we’ve taken the cheap route in our relationship with God.

I can make the choice to pay less – but I won’t have the best fit. Not in the physical realm; not in the spiritual realm. It just won’t happen. God is not cheap. He gave His only Son to come to this earth and die on the cross for my sins…Salvation was not cheap. In fact, we can’t afford to purchase salvation – not ever. God knew that. So, He made it affordable. It is free.

The quality of my Christian life depends on whether or not I am willing to pay more for that which is freely given. I pay more by giving up the things of the flesh, the world, and by practicing the things of the spirit. It’s my choice.

You know, I can afford to settle for imperfect and cheap when it comes to a hoddie…but I cannot afford to settle for imperfection in my relationship with Jesus Christ. There’s just too much at stake. Eternity is a long time and since it (eternal life with Jesus) is freely given…it would be foolish not to pay the price.

So very foolish.