ONCE AND FOR ALL

Christian artist Lauren Daigle co-wrote and performs the song, Once and For All. The lyrics of the song are beautifully written and sung:

Oh let this be where I die

My lord with thee crucified

Be lifted high as my Kingdom's fall

Once and for all, once and for all

This morning as I listened to those words it brought Luke 9:23 to mind where Jesus said,

“Whoever wants to be my disciple must deny themselves, take up their cross daily, and follow me.”

I love Lauren Daigle’s song, but the truth is our Kingdom’s never fall “once and for all.” Being a committed, scrappy, enduring, persevering follower of Jesus is a daily, never ending battle this side of eternity. True, the unmerited gift of salvation requires nothing on our part but acceptance. Sadly, this is the terminus for many Christians. Tragically, many Christians settle for “Hell Insurance” and drive-thru religion rather than ever pursuing a deeper, fuller, bolder, richer intimate relationship with Jesus.

The Cross is indeed where Jesus died - once and for all. We know this because of passages like 1 Timothy 2:5-6 “For there is one God and one mediator between God and man, a man Christ Jesus, who gave Himself - a ransom for all, a testimony at the proper time.” (See also 1 Peter 3:18; Romans 6:10; Hebrews 9:28). But when we see our own personal salvation as the consummation, finale, and satiation of faith - we (unwittingly?) divulge the condition of the soil of our own hearts; soil of hearts that have never truly been penetrated by the gospel of love.

Jesus said, “Greater love has no one than this: to lay down one's life for one's friends.” This frequently conjures up images like a soldier throwing himself on a grenade, a woman pushing a child away from an oncoming bus, or a dramatic movie ending like Armageddon where the hero (Bruce Willis) sacrifices himself for his family and humanity. These are all undoubtedly examples of courageous acts of selfless love, but that’s not what Jesus was talking about. As Oswald Chambers notes, “It is much easier to die than to lay down your life day in and day out with the sense of the high calling of God. We are not made for the bright-shining moments of life, but we have to walk in the light of them in our everyday ways.”

Our kingdoms never fall once and for all. It would be unfair and irresponsible to lure people in under such false pretenses. Giving your life to Jesus is NOT the end of the struggle, but it is the beginning of life eternal. Ask the alcoholic if the struggle ever truly leaves. Ask the person struggling with homosexuality. Ask the person with OCD, insecurity, low self-esteem, or a loose tongue. Do the urges vanish instantly or permanently? Not typically. Instead they frequently manifest differently - alcohol for tobacco; tobacco for soda; soda for exercise; exercise for self-help groups…

Jesus said, “Whoever wants to be my disciple must deny themselves, take up their cross daily, and follow me.” The beauty of the Cross is NOT that it magically makes “our kingdoms fall once and for all,” but rather that it continually and perpetually exposes our vanity, selfishness, narcissism, and makes something of eternal value possible, i.e. the will of God - to be a blessing to others.

Paul frequently encouraged the saints to περιπατέω (per-ee-pat-eh'-o), i.e. “walk in a manner worthy of the gospel.” Cognates occur 96 times in the New Testament! If personal salvation were the end-goal, why would Jesus bother telling us to take up our cross daily? If personal salvation were the objective - why would Paul tell all the people of faith - not just the evangelists - not just the pastors - not just the teachers, apostles, and preachers - but tell all Christians how to walk, how to serve, to think of others as more important than ourselves, and to take captive every thought?

Because personal salvation is NOT the goal. Unity as Christ’s Bride is. Being grafted into something perfect, eternal, and glorious is the goal. Willing, obedient participation in the mission of God is the goal - to be a blessing to all the families, tribes, nations, and peoples on earth is the goal.

Next time you listen to Lauren Daigle’s song, Once and For All, just know with all confidence that Christ died once and for all. He has revealed the extent of His love and invited you into a simultaneously personal and corporate relationship with Him at the Cross. The hope and certainty of that love culminated with the empty tomb that first Easter morning.

Cognates of the Greek word ὑπομονή (hoop-om-on-ay') occur 32 times in the New Testament and are frequently translated with words like: enduring, persevering, steadfast, or patient.

Don’t be discouraged with the struggles, trials, adversity, afflictions, distress, misery, and misfortune in this life. As Paul said, “so that no one would be unsettled by these trials. For you know quite well that we are destined for them,” and elsewhere, “For while we are in this tent, we groan and are burdened…”

Jesus did NOT say, “Whoever wants to be my disciple let your kingdom fall once and for all,” but instead He died once - for all - and said (paraphrase) whoever wants the arduous yet joyful privilege of joining with me in blessing people to the ends of the earth… “whoever wants to be my disciple must deny themselves, take up their cross daily, and follow me.”

Let’s not forget how Lauren’s song begins:

God I give You all I can today

These scattered ashes that I hid away

I lay them all at Your feet

From the corners of my deepest shame

The empty places where I've worn Your name

Show me the love I say I believe

Then, Lord, we'll do it all again tomorrow.

Blessings,

-Kevin M. Kelley

aMostUnlikelyDisciple.com