FULL DISCLOSURE

But the Lord said to him, “Go, for he is a chosen instrument of Mine, to bear My name before the Gentiles and kings and the sons of Israel; for I will show him how much he must suffer

for My name.”  Acts 9:15–16

I love the story of Ananias being told to go meet with Paul. Not only was this a guy with a pretty scary rap sheet, but this was not an Osteen-feel good story. Sure, Paul was chosen to carry Christ’s name, but that calling came with a cost. His mission would open doors, change lives and advance the gospel, yet it would also bring rejection, hardship and suffering. Jesus, through Ananias, did not recruit with a polished promise of comfort. He told the truth.

We must do the same when we witness. The gospel is good news, but following Jesus is not an invitation to an easier life. It is a call to deny ourselves, take up our cross and follow Him. We should never present Christ as merely the solution to temporary discomfort while avoiding His rightful claim over every part of life. I had the opportunity to preach through Mark 8:34-38 to a youth group summer camp and was freshly amazed at how an understanding of what discipleship is keeps evangelism from becoming a sales pitch, and reaches hearts in a genuine way.

Christ offers forgiveness, reconciliation with God, eternal life, and the joy of knowing Him. But He also calls us to obedience, sacrifice and endurance. Just like the message Ananias was to deliver, we are not selling a product or trying to secure a quick decision. We are calling people to the King who saves completely and commands fully.

Let us speak of grace without hiding surrender, joy without hiding hardship and salvation without hiding discipleship. Christ is worth following, even when following Him costs us everything, because He gave everything to rescue us.

Joe Ensley