Are we expendable for Christ?

It is a serious question that all should ask themselves. But first, why should we be expendable? What does it even mean!?

Back in 1948, the missionary Nate Saint spoke about being ‘expendable’ during a broadcast on the missionary radio station Voice of the Andes:

“During the last war we were taught to recognise that, in order to obtain our objective, we had to be willing to be expendable . . . This very afternoon thousands of soldiers are known by their serial numbers as men who are expendable . . . We know there is only one answer to our country’s demand that we share in the price of freedom. Yet, when the Lord Jesus asks us to pay the price for world evangelisation, we often answer without a word. We cannot go. We say it costs too much.

God Himself laid down when He built the universe. He knew when He made it what the price was going to be. God didn’t hold back His only Son but gave Him up to pay the price for our failure and sin.”

Nate Saint, of course, lived out what he said. He died in his mission to reach the Auca tribe for Christ.

For the ultimate example of sacrifice, however, we must turn to Jesus Christ. He expended all in the service of God.

“Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus: who, being in the form of God, thought it not robbery to be equal with God: But made himself of no reputation, and took upon Him the form of a servant, and was made in the likeness of men: And being found in fashion as a man, He humbled Himself and became obedient unto death, even the death of the cross” (Philippians 2:5-8)

Christ left His rightful and glorious place in heaven to take the position of a servant – a servant who would do everything that was necessary to provide salvation for sinners. He voluntarily entered into death on that horrific cross and took upon Himself the sin of the world, so we might have peace with God.

This is the extent of expendability shown in our beloved King, who is now on that highly exalted throne, in whom we have been redeemed and made to be citizens of His heavenly kingdom.

Christ was ready and willing to expend all for God and for the gospel. Are we?

“Only let your conversation be as it becomes the gospel of Christ . . . stand fast in one spirit, with one mind striving together for the faith of the gospel; And in nothing terrified by your adversaries … For unto you it is given in the behalf of Christ, not only to believe on Him, but also to suffer for His sake.” (Philippians 1:27-30)

The apostle Paul is a great example of a man ready and willing to expend all for Christ. He sought to live for Christ in whatever position He was in. Even from prison, he could write: “For me to live is Christ, and to die is gain”. (Philippians 1:21). Later on in 3:8, he says that he suffers for Christ, not for His own worth but to win Christ, to achieve “the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus” (3:14). 

When Paul wrote to Timothy, he encouraged the younger man to embrace the path of suffering for the sake of Christ:

“Thou therefore endure hardness, as a good soldier of Jesus Christ” (2 Timothy 2:3)

He also shared the joy that was found in fighting a good fight, finishing the course and keeping the faith:

“For I am now ready to be offered, and the time of my departure is at hand. I have fought a good fight, I have finished my course, I have kept the faith: Henceforth there is laid up for me a crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous judge, shall give me at that day” (2 Timothy 4:6-8)

And so, we must also do the same. We have been bought with the price of blood so that we might be free men of the Lord. Our response to God’s mercy ought to be sacrifice – to become expendable unto the Lord with our whole heart, soul and mind – yielding all for the sake of Christ and the gospel.