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CAPA Corner: Words of Encouragement from the Central Area Pastor’s Association

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    If I were to be honest, I would have to admit that I am a lazy person at times.  I want a car that runs properly, but I don’t want to get under the hood to change the oil.  So, I take it to the mechanics to do the work.  I want a beautiful flower bed, but when I see the heat, I take another sip of sweet tea and flip the channel.  I desire the benefits of hard work, but many times I am not willing to pay the price that those benefits will require. I want blessings to come to me, but I’m not willing to sacrifice to receive them. 
    This attitude probably won’t hurt us much when it comes to our car care, but when it comes to our spiritual walk, there is a price that is required to receive the benefits of a close walk with God.  No, I am not saying that you can earn your way to grace or by doing a specific list of things it will make you any closer to God.  The price required is much deeper than that. 
    Paul clues us in to what the price is in Philippians 3:7-11.  He explains that a call to follow after Christ is a call to die.  If we are to experience the new life that Christ offers and share with him in the resurrection, we will have to give up the old life that we so desperately cling to.    The old life where we call the shots, we live to please ourselves, and we pursue our own goals must be destroyed and buried with Christ so the new life that he desires can be received.
    Just as that flower bed will not flourish without the sacrifice of your time and energy, a walk with God will not grow or flourish without the sacrifice of your heart!  This is the cost of being a disciple of Christ!  Are you willing to pay the price?
Jason Allen
First Baptist Central
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