Church bulletin:
Using EFTPOS these days invariably means a surcharge. We are paying for the privilege to use our own money. Some shops have a sign notifying of the surcharge but a lot don’t and seem to regard it as a given. You can always pay with cash, but probably like most people I tend not to carry cash or at least not much.
I had a similar experience when buying a new car last year. Leading up to the purchase, the salesman spoke of the vehicle in the highest possible terms. It would be one of the best decisions we could make. Once we agreed on a price (not because of his showmanship but in spite of it) we were then taken into another room to discuss the essential “add-ons.” Without paint protection the paint could peel off in the weather or easily chip on the road – especially red paint we were told. Without window tinting, the sun’s rays may decimate the interior and burn us alive while driving. We also needed additional warranties (not covered by the standard warranty or insurance) should we get caught in tsunamis, earthquakes or nuclear war. All up, the responsible motorist would be prepared to fork out an additional 4 or 5 K.
There are, however, no hidden costs with the Gospel. God doesn’t lure us into His kingdom only then to reveal what is expected from us and what we should expect. He lays it all on the table – through My Son Jesus Christ I give you eternal life. I will give you a deeply rich and rewarding life, but do not imagine that it will be easy. So many Christians become disillusioned because they fail to pay attention or they are influenced by an unbiblical message. The details concerning challenges and difficulties are not contained in ‘fine print’ buried in a sealed section of the Bible. There are all out in the open. Consider just a handful of many verses –
Matt 7:14, “Narrow is the gate and difficult is the way which leads to life, and there are few who find it.” Matt 16:24, “If anyone desires to come after Me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow Me.” Acts 14:22, “We must through many tribulations enter the kingdom of God.” 1 Peter 4:12, “Beloved, do not think it strange concerning the fiery trial, which is to try you, as though some strange thing happened to you.”
The challenges not only relate to the world; they also come through the church –
Acts 15:39, “Then the contention [between Paul and Barnabas] became so sharp that they parted from one another.” Acts 20:30, “Also from among yourselves men will rise up, speaking perverse things, to draw away the disciples after themselves.” 1 Cor 3:3, “You are still carnal. For where there are envy, strife, and divisions among you, are you not carnal and behaving like mere men?” Gal 5:15, “If you bite and devour one another, beware lest you be consumed by one another!”
We do not live on a playground but a battleground. Soldiers in the theatre of combat are under no illusions as to what to expect (2 Tim 2:3-4). We are to arm ourselves with the knowledge that glory comes only after conflict. And as the saying goes, to be forewarned is to be forearmed. Expect trials and tribulations and you won’t be blindsided. You will get hurt but you won’t be destroyed. Keep your eyes upon the One who overcame, and in Him, we too overcome. Heb 12:2-3, “Looking unto Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith, who for the joy that was set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. (3) For consider Him who endured such hostility from sinners against Himself, lest you become weary and discouraged in your souls.”