Count the Cost
"If anyone comes to Me and does not hate his father and mother, his wife and children, his brothers and sisters-yes, even his own life-he cannot be My disciple. And anyone who does not carry his cross and follow Me cannot be My disciple." Luke 14:26-27
These words from Jesus may sound harsh, especially to someone who does not know Him. His words are very strong and full of passion in these verses. First, we must understand that there is a choice involved. Jesus clearly says "if anyone comes to Me." From the beginning, Jesus has never forced His way on anyone. He patiently, lovingly waits for us to respond to His call. Once we say 'yes' to His call, He doesn't want to just be first in our life, no, He wants to be our one and only! When we think of the other relationships in our lives such as spouse, children, mother, father, sibling or friend, there should be no comparison! Yes, my friend, we love our families and friends, but our relationship with Jesus should be set apart-no one should even come close to the intimacy we share with our Lord Jesus. That is how much He dearly loves us.
When we choose to follow our Lord, there is always a cost involved. Know and understand that not everyone is going to be excited about your decision. In fact, some people will turn their backs on you. These people may even be in your own family. A true follower of Christ will seek after Him and follow Him no matter who abandons them. Jesus tells us that anyone who does not carry his cross and follow Him cannot be His disciple. What does it mean to "carry your cross" you may be thinking? The cross itself is a symbol of suffering and shame. To carry the cross is to, at times, suffer injustice. It is being persecuted for your faith. It is getting laughed at and mocked. Jesus tells us however, "Blessed are you when people insult you, persecute you, and falsely say all kinds of evil against you because of Me. Rejoice and be glad, because great is your reward in heaven, for in the same way they persecuted the prophets who were before you." Matthew 5:11-12
"If anyone would come after Me, he must deny himself and take up his cross daily and follow Me." Luke 9:23
What does it mean to 'deny ourselves?' This means to lay aside what "we" want-to lay aside our selfish desires, and to seek God's will for our lives. It may mean giving money to a homeless person instead of buying yourself lunch. It may mean serving at a shelter instead of watching a ballgame on t.v. It may mean taking time to encourage someone or pray over them after work instead of rushing out of the office to get home. It may mean serving in your own household instead of sitting around. It may mean going out of your way to pick someone up to take them to the store. I could go on and on, but I think you get the point.
This life is not about us! The world we live in screams 'look out for yourself,' 'get all that you can,' and 'it's all about you.' But friend, all of that is foolishness. We were created by God, for God. (Colossians 1:16) We are here to bring Him glory. Our lives should point people to Him. Jesus promises "no one who has left home or wife or brothers or parents or children for the sake of the kingdom of god will fail to receive many times as much in this age and, in the age to come, eternal life." (Luke 18:29) As a follower of Christ, everything we do for the kingdom of God will be rewarded. "So we make it our goal to please Him, whether we are at home in the body or away from it. For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ, that each one may receive what is due him for the things done while in the body, whether good or bad." (2 Corinthians 5:9-10) Please remember, my friend, that your labor for the Lord is not in vain. He tells us not to get weary in doing good for at the proper time, we will reap a harvest if we do not give up or lose heart. (Galatians 6:9)
Hold on to the hope you have that is Christ Jesus. He, Himself will strengthen you on your journey and give you peace during every situation as you keep your eyes on Him. One day, every knee shall bow and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord! Remember that your citizenship is in heaven and "we eagerly await a Savior from there, the Lord Jesus Christ, who by the power that enables Him to bring everything under His control, will transform our lowly bodies so that they will be like His glorious body.(Philippians 3:20-21)\
Keep fighting the good fight of faith and "May God Himself, the God of peace, sanctify you through and through. may your whole spirit, soul and body be kept blameless at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ. The One who calls you is faithful and he will do it." 1 Thessalonians 5:23-24
These words from Jesus may sound harsh, especially to someone who does not know Him. His words are very strong and full of passion in these verses. First, we must understand that there is a choice involved. Jesus clearly says "if anyone comes to Me." From the beginning, Jesus has never forced His way on anyone. He patiently, lovingly waits for us to respond to His call. Once we say 'yes' to His call, He doesn't want to just be first in our life, no, He wants to be our one and only! When we think of the other relationships in our lives such as spouse, children, mother, father, sibling or friend, there should be no comparison! Yes, my friend, we love our families and friends, but our relationship with Jesus should be set apart-no one should even come close to the intimacy we share with our Lord Jesus. That is how much He dearly loves us.
When we choose to follow our Lord, there is always a cost involved. Know and understand that not everyone is going to be excited about your decision. In fact, some people will turn their backs on you. These people may even be in your own family. A true follower of Christ will seek after Him and follow Him no matter who abandons them. Jesus tells us that anyone who does not carry his cross and follow Him cannot be His disciple. What does it mean to "carry your cross" you may be thinking? The cross itself is a symbol of suffering and shame. To carry the cross is to, at times, suffer injustice. It is being persecuted for your faith. It is getting laughed at and mocked. Jesus tells us however, "Blessed are you when people insult you, persecute you, and falsely say all kinds of evil against you because of Me. Rejoice and be glad, because great is your reward in heaven, for in the same way they persecuted the prophets who were before you." Matthew 5:11-12
"If anyone would come after Me, he must deny himself and take up his cross daily and follow Me." Luke 9:23
What does it mean to 'deny ourselves?' This means to lay aside what "we" want-to lay aside our selfish desires, and to seek God's will for our lives. It may mean giving money to a homeless person instead of buying yourself lunch. It may mean serving at a shelter instead of watching a ballgame on t.v. It may mean taking time to encourage someone or pray over them after work instead of rushing out of the office to get home. It may mean serving in your own household instead of sitting around. It may mean going out of your way to pick someone up to take them to the store. I could go on and on, but I think you get the point.
This life is not about us! The world we live in screams 'look out for yourself,' 'get all that you can,' and 'it's all about you.' But friend, all of that is foolishness. We were created by God, for God. (Colossians 1:16) We are here to bring Him glory. Our lives should point people to Him. Jesus promises "no one who has left home or wife or brothers or parents or children for the sake of the kingdom of god will fail to receive many times as much in this age and, in the age to come, eternal life." (Luke 18:29) As a follower of Christ, everything we do for the kingdom of God will be rewarded. "So we make it our goal to please Him, whether we are at home in the body or away from it. For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ, that each one may receive what is due him for the things done while in the body, whether good or bad." (2 Corinthians 5:9-10) Please remember, my friend, that your labor for the Lord is not in vain. He tells us not to get weary in doing good for at the proper time, we will reap a harvest if we do not give up or lose heart. (Galatians 6:9)
Hold on to the hope you have that is Christ Jesus. He, Himself will strengthen you on your journey and give you peace during every situation as you keep your eyes on Him. One day, every knee shall bow and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord! Remember that your citizenship is in heaven and "we eagerly await a Savior from there, the Lord Jesus Christ, who by the power that enables Him to bring everything under His control, will transform our lowly bodies so that they will be like His glorious body.(Philippians 3:20-21)\
Keep fighting the good fight of faith and "May God Himself, the God of peace, sanctify you through and through. may your whole spirit, soul and body be kept blameless at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ. The One who calls you is faithful and he will do it." 1 Thessalonians 5:23-24
Comments
Post a Comment