Bible (Archive 3)

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Bible Question (short): Is sacrifice requirement to christianity

Question (full): I'm sure that a lot of people consider themselves to be "a friend of Christ", but whom does Jesus say are his friends? What are the differences between believing in Christ, a friend of Chirst, and a disciple of Christ? Theologically, is there a difference? How do we know where were we fit in? What should be our response?

I'm just discouraged because I started this journey with Jesus 5 years ago and the stuff I got in YWAM basic training doesn't seem to "digest" with the rest of the body of Christ...or at least in NYC, that is. I found out very quickly that I was labelled as, "a radical" and was avioded like the plague because of the basic theology taught to us in YWAM. Nobody seemed to want to hear about the cross and our call to sacrifice. I was labeled a legalist. And so I've had major struggles with knowing how to respond.

People only want to hear "health and wealth", omitting the suffering that Christ endured on our behalf and our call to that suffering. But I too, find that their is something wrong within me as well for judging others. I also find the Pharasee within myself, gloating in my own self-righteousness. But it's so hard to try to live sacrificially and all your other Christian friends are pursuing whatever career goals they want, as they prosper financially.

And I know how that must sound. And I know that the problem isn't "them" its within me. It's all the selfish deisres lingering inside of me wanting to be fulfilled. But It's hard living in the U.S. with televangelists promising, "name it and claim it".

Let me try and put this into an analogy, so that what I'm feeling might be better interpreted, and then maybe someone can maybe give me some advice.

I feel like I've been on my knees for years srubbing floors, and the whole time other Christians have been walking past me saying, "you're doing great, but by the way, when you're done with that I noticed some stuff in the back room on the floor, you may want to go and get that when your finished here", and then they leave off to work to make there money. And after a while you feel like, hey man what gives. This is toally absurd. You mean, I do all this work with no pay, while they go off and make all the money. Some work for free and others get paid, and in the end we all get the same rewards. What gives?

And so I've now left the floor, so to speak, and I'm not sure if I want to go back. I mean, if we're allowed to get away with this lazy, nonsacrificial christianity in the west...then I'm joining the club. As is, noone is ever looking to marry a broke starving missionay.

And now I'm literally crying like a baby as I write this because that's what I feel about Amercian Christianity. Why do some get the cup of blessing and some of us get the cup of poverty? And how do I know if some of this self imposed? How do I know if I'm doing the right thing or if I'm just trying to work off some of my own sin debts?

Does any of this make sence? I'm just looking for theological answers, because everything I believe is being challenged right now. Like the guys working in the fields in Jesus' story. It's as if I don't want to go back in the field if we're all going to get the same payment in the end. Why even try? To what avail is all this sacrificing and suffering? Hey I want some stability to, you know! I feel like when I got the salvation package I got ripped off or something. Other people are opening there gospel packages and finding new cars, good jobs, an awesome wife, a nice house...and I got poverty and service. And I'm ready to exchange it in for something else...is this wrong?

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Bible (Archive 3)

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