The Cost of a Re-Newed World

Does Jesus really mean this? Hate my parents? My siblings? My spouse and children? Hate myself and spend my life carrying “my cross”? “Give up all possessions”? Is this another example of Jesus’ hyperbole, like when he said, “If your hand offends, you, cut it off. If your eye leads you to sin, pluck it out”? What are we getting ourselves into, if we follow Jesus? 

We are getting into the most radical commitment of our lives—to accept Christ as our Lord and Savior. We are committing to him and his mission to bring new life to the world, and to bring all our relationships into our life in him. We commit to work at having that mind in us that was in Christ Jesus. 

We are getting ourselves into bringing about a re-newed world, where a  new sense of family moves us beyond blood ties, a new sense of self takes us  beyond personal fulfillment, a new sense of relationship to possessions carries  us beyond “shop, shop, shop.” 

Paul was inviting Philemon to enter into this new world. Philemon’s slave,  Onesimus, his “property,” had run away, a capital offense, punishable even by death. Paul asks the slave owner to take back the slave as a brother in Christ. One wonders what a different world we might have if this short letter (only twenty-five verses) had been read, preached, and heard yearly over the centuries. 

So count the cost, know what’s at stake, and commit this day to Christ the Lord. 

Consider/Discuss

• What tower are you building? What battle are you willing to engage in for the sake of the kingdom of God? 
• Do you love and trust Jesus enough to follow him daily? 

Responding to the Word

All-wise and all-knowing God, give us a share in your wisdom and the courage to commit to building up your kingdom in our world. Give us the strength to fight against all that is evil and destructive of your creation. Send your Spirit that we might live more fully in Christ.