Perhaps my most often used quote is, “The comfort zone is the danger zone.” I believe this is true because the Bible says that “without faith it is impossible to please Him” (Hebrews 11:6). Those who are content to stay in the comfort zone of life seldom live by faith, and ultimately displease God.

The comfort zone is the danger zone.

An illustration of this kind of costly faith is found in Moses, who preferred to “suffer affliction with the people of God than to enjoy the passing pleasures of sin, esteeming the reproach of Christ greater riches than the treasures in Egypt; for he looked to the reward” (Hebrews 11:25-26). Accordingly, I believe the “comfort zone” is dangerous because it can easily result in a life that avoids the value of suffering and lacks the credibility of scars.

The “comfort zone” is dangerous because it can easily result in a life that avoids the value of suffering and lacks the credibility of scars.

The Mark of a Credible, Authentic Minister

At the end his letter to the Galatians, Paul made an amazing statement as he responded to the criticism he constantly endured from false teachers. He simply stated, “From now on let no one trouble me, for I bear in my body the marks of the Lord Jesus” (Galatians 6:17). Paul’s scars, inflicted because of his obedience, were the testimony of a credible leader.

Similarly, when dealing with the detractors and false teachers that had infiltrated the Corinthian church, he asked,  “Are they ministers of Christ?” In other words, Paul poses the question about the qualities of true servants of Christ. In his answer he did not speak of theological degrees, talent, giftedness, position, wealth, ministry size, or any other common measuring sticks in today’s society. Instead, he spoke of his incredible sufferings as the mark of an authentic servant of Christ. He referenced beatings, prison, various brushes with death, many kinds of dangers, sleeplessness, hunger, and thirst. Then he writes, “Besides the other things, what comes upon me daily: my deep concern for all the churches” (2 Corinthians 11:23-28). He lives with a scarred body and a heavy heart for the sake of Christ’s calling on his life.

Choosing the Pathway of Price

In Paul, we find a leader who cared little about position, recognition, prosperity, or ease. Paul knew that he was called to choose the pathway of price if his life was going to matter for the Gospel and if he was going to prove to be a true follower of his Lord Jesus Christ.

In Paul, we find a leader who cared little about position, recognition, prosperity, or ease. Paul knew that he was called to choose the pathway of price if his life was going to matter for the Gospel and if he was going to prove to be a true follower of his Lord Jesus Christ.

In fact, Paul genuinely embraced the value of his scars. For example (and in brief summary):

• He knew that the more he suffered, the more he would receive supernatural consolation from God, and the more capable he would be in passing this consolation on in ministry to others (2 Corinthians 1:5-7).

• He knew that the more closely he walked in the footsteps of Jesus and His sufferings, the more the life of Jesus would be manifested in and through him in serving Christ’s body (2 Corinthians 4:10; Colossians 1:24).

• He understood that his desire to intimately know Christ also involved the “fellowship of His sufferings” (Philippians 3:10).

• He knew that the greater the suffering this side of eternity, the greater and surer the glory on the other side of eternity (Romans 8:17; Colossians 1:24; 2 Timothy 1:12).

• He knew that one of the marks of a truly godly life is the readiness to be scarred and even face persecution (2 Timothy 3:12).

Jesus, Our Scarred Savior

The ultimate example of a joyfully scarred leader is our Master Jesus, who willingly gave up the rights to His pre-incarnate glory to choose a path of no reputation. He pursued the life of a bond slave and embraced the humbling obedience of a horrific death on the cross (Philippians 2:5-9).

Hebrews 5:8 tells us, “Though He was a Son, yet He learned obedience by the things which He suffered.” It is not that Jesus was disobedient at any point – but that His obedience to the call of the cross necessitated death. When appearing to His disciples after His resurrection, the scars in His hands, feet, and side provided authentic proof of His identity (John 20:20; Luke 24:29).

Where are Your Scars?

So, we all must ask: “Where are my scars? How have I stepped beyond the ‘comfort zone’ of the current cultural norms of modern-day Christianity to pay a substantive price for my faith?” The cost might be experienced in our finances, our security, our family, relationships, and yes – even our physical well-being. In today’s world, it is more imperative than ever that we CHOOSE a pathway of price rather than stroll down the easy-street of a convenient faith.

We all must ask: “Where are my scars? How have I stepped beyond the ‘comfort zone’ of the current cultural norms of modern-day Christianity to pay a substantive price for my faith?”

 

In today’s world, it is more imperative than ever that we CHOOSE a pathway of price rather than stroll down the easy-street of a convenient faith.

• When a leader has success without scars, he has shortchanged character and forfeited eternal reward.
• When a disciple is learning Bible truths but has no scars, he is in danger of a self-deceived heart that accumulates ideas applied only in a sterile laboratory rather than the battle field.
• When a believer chooses to simply climb the ladder of ecclesiastical advancement but not embrace choices that are costly, he may have an appearance of godliness but lack the power thereof.

When a disciple is learning Bible truths but has no scars, he is in danger of a self-deceived heart that accumulates ideas applied only in a sterile laboratory rather than the battle field.

Going Deep – Getting Scarred

We’ve all heard the wisdom, “You take care of the depth of your ministry and God will take care of the breadth.” We must remember that this depth is more than theological learning, prayer times, active service, and emotive worship. A deep faith is developed when the very soul of our existence is tested by the trials we endure through choices of adventuring faith and costly obedience.

A deep faith is developed when the very soul of our existence is tested by the trials we endure through choices of adventuring faith and costly obedience.

Then, we can someday look at those who are following us and say, “See my scars. They are the marks of an obedient disciple and the reminders of the great joy of following in the footsteps of a nail-scarred Savior.” That is the adventure and goal of an authentic disciple.

Copyright © 2018 Daniel Henderson. All rights reserved.