Simple vs. Easy

Being a follower of Christ is simple, but it was never meant to be easy!

That statement might surprise you, shock you, discourage you, or anger you. But I wanted to let you in on Christ’s secret: it isn’t easy to be a follower of Christ. Honestly, it never was. In a conversation with his followers in John 6, Jesus’ message drives away the thousands who have been following him. Jesus tells his disciples that if they want to be first in the kingdom then they must be last and the servant of all. Jesus tells the rich man that the only way to be his follower is to sell everything and give it all to the poor. We are told to love our enemies, turn the other cheek, do not be angry, stop lusting… all countercultural ideas in both Jesus’ time and in ours. Jesus never tells his disciples it will be easy to follow him; indeed, he tells them it will be anything but!

It isn’t easy to be a follower of Christ. But it is rather simple. Simply put, if we want to become a true follower of Christ we must be willing to give up everything and put ourselves (and our desires) last for the sake of the Kingdom. Jesus tells his disciples, “If anyone would come after me, he must deny himself and take up his cross and follow me. For whoever wants to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for my sake will find it. What good will it be for a man if he gains the whole world, yet forfeits his soul?” (Matthew 16:24-26). In the Greco-Roman world, nothing was more shameful than a cross. The cross was reserved for thieves, terrorists, and enemies of the state. Crucified criminals were taunted and ridiculed by all who saw them. Thus, Jesus’ simple instructions to his disciples shouldn’t bring much joy. Jesus is calling his disciples to be so radically different from the world that they would be (at times) ridiculed, taunted, and even killed for their beliefs. It isn’t easy to be a Christian, but the idea sure is simple.

What does it mean for us to be simple Christians? What would it look like in our workplace, our classroom, our families? How would our lives be different if we decided each morning to take up our cross no matter what may happen? How would our world be different? What would change if we were willing to give it all up for the sake of the Kingdom? What would life be like if we decided to practice simple Christianity? Being a Christian is simple, but it sure isn’t easy.