Infinite Grace; Minimal Cost
is Christianity really worth the investment?
By: Hannah Wang
This article is part of the Claritas fall 2024 issue, Margins. Read the full print release here.
Time is precious because it is limited. With only twenty-four hours in a day—though it often feels more like ten or fifteen—it is difficult to accomplish all that you want. I tell myself that if I had more time, I would learn how to play the guitar, I would return to the piano, and I would make more art. Unfortunately, I cannot invest much time into learning something new on top of my current hobbies and responsibilities. I cannot start something without letting go of something else. Time is a zero-sum game: To give more time to one interest, you must take time away from another.
This concept, which manifests itself in many of our decisions, reflects the Rational Rule, a central concept in microeconomics. According to this rule, people tend to make decisions by pitting the marginal cost against the marginal benefit of a given choice. If the benefit of an option outweighs the cost, it makes sense for the individual to follow through with that choice. Otherwise, it does not.
Cornell’s Economy
At first glance, the decision to follow Christ is like any other decision. For a student at an academically challenging institution like Cornell, is Christianity really worth the investment? I surveyed Cornell students, both believers and non-believers, about where they spend their time, energy, and money. The most common answers (in order of frequency) were research and academics, food, family and friends, and various hobbies. We invest in many of these things in order to obtain something else—they are transactional. For instance, if we work hard to build up impressive resumes and technical skills, we have better chances of getting internships, which can then open up doors to successful careers. Some of the responses show that investing in these things results in a feeling of contentment. When referring to their investments in food and video games, one student said, “I feel like I can just be content with my position in life if I have enough time for these things I enjoy.” Another student, when asked about what makes their investments worthwhile, mentioned that there was some sort of tangible result, saying, “You can clearly see the effects of these things and how they impact your life.” Investing these limited resources for immediate satisfaction or benefit can be meaningful to us.
Although people may not want to invest in Christianity due to a lack of time and interest, the root of their reluctance is a belief that Christianity isn’t needed. When asked about their reasons for not exploring Christianity, a third student explained, “It’s never really been a part of my life, and I feel pretty happy as I am right now, so I guess there’s nothing in particular driving me to explore it.” For this content student and many others, Christianity seems unnecessary.
Costs of Christianity
I asked a few Christians at Cornell what, if anything, they had to give up to commit to following Christ. The reality is that there are very real things people have had to give up to follow Christ, such as time, pride, and relationships.
Time is a limited resource, and we should make the most of it. Although the act of believing does not itself require time, a life of faith does. In order to know God better, we spend time going to church on Sundays, attending Friday night fellowships, reading the Bible every day, singing songs of praise, and praying. We also make ourselves available to spend time with people who need support, honoring and loving others above ourselves. In a world that encourages people to make the most of their time by working toward a successful future, it is easy to prioritize other things, such as studying, over spending time with God and others, especially when schoolwork seems to have a more tangible benefit.
Along with the limited resources we dedicate to Christianity, there are also aspects of our natural selves that we must give up to God, including our pride. When my mom first invited me to attend church with her, I was hesitant and skeptical. I thought she was getting into something weird. My perspective of Christianity at that time stemmed mainly from what I saw in popular media: that Christians were ignorant and judgemental of people who did not share their beliefs. I thought it would be shameful to be associated with anything faith-related. My friend, Jasmine* shared a reservation similar to mine. I asked her what she had to give up to commit to following Christ, and she explained, “First, my pride. This decision to follow Christ seems crazy to my former self who was critical of Christianity, so it necessarily challenged my own ego, especially since a central part of Christianity is recognizing our sinfulness toward God.” In order to follow Christ, it is crucial that we recognize our sinfulness—how we have abandoned God’s will and become separated from Him. Confessing our sins to God comes from a place of humility. As Christians, humble repentance is not just a one-time act but an ongoing one as we, being human, continue to sin.
In addition to affecting time and pride, the large shift in perspective and lifestyle that comes with putting our faith in Christ has potential to affect our relationships. From an outside perspective, it is easy to assume that Christians hold particular political beliefs or doubts regarding science. These social perceptions about Christians that flow throughout society and popular media are not always positive. After becoming Christian, Jasmine experienced differences in her relationships. She explained:
“My family is still not Christian, and almost all my friends at the time were also non-Christian… [R]eligion, and Christianity in particular, is not viewed as a particularly good thing, and the way it's portrayed in media really harms people's perceptions of what Christianity is all about…. [M]y proclaiming that I'm Christian will necessarily change the way that I'm perceived by my family and friends back home—and not always in a positive way.”
A life with Christ does call for changes in lifestyle practices, as well as adjustments in perspectives and values. These differences, along with assumptions that people hold of Christians, can create relational barriers.
Christ’s Economy
We judge whether things are worth the investment through a process of give and take—what can I gain from what I give? Is there a marginal benefit to all of this? However, the gift that Jesus gave us is different since we did not have to give anything in exchange. Since the beginning when Adam and Eve fell into sin by disobeying God, all people have been susceptible to sin. This sin separates us from God, condemning us to eternal punishment after death. But as John 3:16 states, “For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.” [1] Before any of us were born, Jesus was born into this world, suffered, took on the unbearable punishment for all our sins, and died so that we may be forgiven of these sins.
Rather than being subjected to the punishment we deserve, we are saved, loved infinitely, and given the chance to live forever in a sinless world with God. The grace and mercy of God are so immense that He forgives our sins for free. None of our material possessions or wealth could be worth as much as this promise God gives us. In Romans 6:23, the apostle Paul writes, “For the wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.” [2] God gave us this gift without requiring us to ask for it beforehand. This gift of salvation—the forgiveness of sin and freedom from its eternal consequences—was given to all humans first. It is only now, two thousand years later, that we accept it and put our faith in Christ.
But what if I am happy without God? It is important to realize that the gift of salvation is not the only thing God has given us. James, the half-brother of Jesus, writes, “Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of the heavenly lights, who does not change like shifting shadows.” [3] The same God who loves us to the point of sending His beloved Jesus to die for our sins continues to provide the goodness we experience day to day. The apostles Paul and Barnabus affirm this in the book of Acts as they say, “Yet [God] has not left himself without testimony: He has shown kindness by giving you rain from heaven and crops in their seasons; he provides you with plenty of food and fills your hearts with joy.” [4] The rare Ithaca sunshine that brings us joy, the more common rain that nourishes the plants on Earth, the delicious food we eat, and other simple joys in life are all testimonies to the goodness of God’s creation and provisions for His children. If all good comes from God, is it really possible for us to be content without Him? We cannot, since our joy originates from and is not independent of Him.
If that is the case, then what does this look like for me in the present? Evidently, there are still tangible things we give up when we follow Christ. The question is, what do we get in return? To some, Christianity, with all of its rules (such as the Ten Commandments), seems to restrict some of the freedoms we have in life. In actuality, God’s laws are meant for good. For instance, advising against drunkenness is not meant to prevent us from having fun, but rather to encourage us to stay in control of our actions and refrain from sinful actions that could hurt both us and the people around us. Again in Romans 8, Paul writes, “For the law of the Spirit of life has set you free in Christ Jesus from the law of sin and death.” [5] After accepting Christ’s gift, we obtain a different kind of freedom that comes from letting go of the sins and harmful aspects of the world, instead living a life in the Spirit that adheres to Christ’s commands.
In the Gospel of Luke, Jesus also describes the cost of becoming a disciple (one of His followers). Jesus makes it clear that following Him is not a half-in and half-out lifestyle. He actually encourages people to “count the cost” of following and decide whether they are willing to fully commit to Christianity. [6] In Mere Christianity, C.S. Lewis describes Jesus’ intentions: “He says, ‘...The moment you put yourself in My hands, [complete transformation] is what you are in for. Nothing less, or other, than that. You have free will, and if you choose, you can push Me away. But if you do not push Me away, understand that I am going to see this job through.’” [7] Lewis describes giving your all to Jesus as “put[ting] yourself in [His] hands.” [8] Giving it all to Jesus means surrendering your life and possessions to Him, putting your trust in Him, and knowing that He will provide. Imagine the Creator of the universe holding your life in His hands—could there be a set of more capable hands in which to entrust your life? The Prophet Jeremiah writes, “For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.” [9] This promise still stands for us today. We are loved and known by God—how comforting it is to know that we are not alone in our past, present, and future moments.
When asked about her decision to follow Christ, a student described, “Honestly, whenever I do have doubts, I find that I can't imagine life without God. […] Life with Jesus and following His commandments has brought so much safety, peace, and truth.” To this student, Christianity is more than a set of beliefs. It is a source of hope and purpose. Following Jesus Christ does have marginal costs, but they are outweighed by the marginal benefits of freedom, spiritual wellness, eternal safety, and hope. Even more though, Jesus Christ offers a benefit so infinite that renders the cost negligible: overflowing grace, and eternal life with Him who loves us unconditionally.
Sources
*Names of student(s) have been changed to protect anonymity.
[1] John 3:16 (NIV)
[2] Romans 6:23 (ESV)
[3] James 1:17 (NIV)
[4] Acts 14:17 (NIV)
[5] Romans 8:2 (ESV)
[6] Luke 14:28-33 (ESV)
[7] Lewis, C.S. “Counting the Cost.” In Mere Christianity, 202. HarperOne, 2009.
[8] Lewis, 202.
[9] Jeremiah 29:11 (NIV)