Whatever the Cost
"If anyone comes to Me and does not hate his own father and mother and wife and children and brothers and sisters, and even his own life, he cannot be My disciple (Luke 14:26)." These are the words Jesus spoke to the crowds that were traveling with Him. At first glance, this sounds rather disturbing. I mean, God is love right? So why would He say if we do not hate our own family we could not be His disciple?
Jesus is giving an illustration to make a point. He is not saying we are not to love our family, He is clearly telling us that we should not love anyone or anything more than Him. We are to be obedient to Jesus even if it is against what our family may think. We are to be loyal to Him no matter what, even if it means losing someone we care deeply about. Life with Jesus is the most beautiful relationship anyone can or ever will have, but there will be suffering involved. He is preparing us for what is to come. No one likes to suffer and when we do we may even be tempted to give up. Our human need is to be loved and wanted. Will you remain faithful when people reject you because of Christ? Will you remain faithful when someone in your family ridicules you because of your stand for Christ? Will you remain faithful when your co-workers shun you because of what you believe?
When Christ fills you with His Spirit, He begins to change you. Your desires change, your habits change, and the way you think begins to change. You no longer want to do the things you once did. You no longer go to the places you used to go to. God is making you more like Him. Some times there is pain and suffering involved. Why? Because the people you once associated with cannot understand why you aren't hanging out with them anymore. They may make fun of you. Others may turn their backs on you. "Therefore, since Christ suffered in His body, arm yourselves also with the same attitude, because he who has suffered in his body is done with sin. As a result, he does no live the rest of his earthly life for evil human desires, but rather for the will of God. For you have spent enough time in the past doing what pagans choose to do-living in debauchery, lust, drunkenness, orgies, carousing, and detestable idolatry. They think it strange that you do not plunge in the same flood of dissipation, and they heap abuse on you (1 Peter 4:1-4)."
It is not until Christ removes the veil from someones eyes that they can truly see and understand the things of God. In the meantime, they will think it is foolish. So, the question is, are you in, all of you? Jesus is not looking for part-time followers who have one foot in the world and one foot in the kingdom. As a follower of Christ, you are in the world, but not of the world. Keep your guard up. Everything the world stands for contradicts the word of God. "Do not love the world or anything in the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him. For everything in the world-the cravings of sinful man, the lust of his eyes and the boasting of what he has and does-comes not from the Father, but from the world. The world and its desires pass away, but the man who does the will of God lives forever (1 John 2:15-17)."
You have a choice to make. Are you going to take a stand for Christ? Now is the time. In love, Jesus, the perfect, spotless Lamb of God gave His life so that you and I could have life. He took the punishment that we deserved. He died a horrific death and bore all of our sin. He rose from the dead and is seated at the right hand of the Father. He is the only one who is worthy of all glory, honor and praise. "To Him who loves us and has freed us from our sins by His blood, and has made us to be a kingdom and priests to serve His God and Father-to Him be glory and power for ever and ever! Amen (Revelation 1:5-6)." One day we will all face judgment. It will either be at the judgment seat of Christ or the Great White Throne Judgment. If your name is not found in the book of life, you will be eternally separated from God and thrown into the lake of fire. (Revelation 20:15) I want to make you aware of what is going to take place. These aren't my words, but God's words. Understand my friend, that Jesus came to give you life. Hell was created for the devil and his angels (Matthew 25:41). God does not want anyone to perish, but all to come to repentance. (2 Peter 3:9) God in His grace and mercy draws you to Himself by the power of the Holy Spirit. At that point, you have a choice to make. Am I going to choose Jesus or am I going to reject Him? Choose life!
Jesus is giving an illustration to make a point. He is not saying we are not to love our family, He is clearly telling us that we should not love anyone or anything more than Him. We are to be obedient to Jesus even if it is against what our family may think. We are to be loyal to Him no matter what, even if it means losing someone we care deeply about. Life with Jesus is the most beautiful relationship anyone can or ever will have, but there will be suffering involved. He is preparing us for what is to come. No one likes to suffer and when we do we may even be tempted to give up. Our human need is to be loved and wanted. Will you remain faithful when people reject you because of Christ? Will you remain faithful when someone in your family ridicules you because of your stand for Christ? Will you remain faithful when your co-workers shun you because of what you believe?
When Christ fills you with His Spirit, He begins to change you. Your desires change, your habits change, and the way you think begins to change. You no longer want to do the things you once did. You no longer go to the places you used to go to. God is making you more like Him. Some times there is pain and suffering involved. Why? Because the people you once associated with cannot understand why you aren't hanging out with them anymore. They may make fun of you. Others may turn their backs on you. "Therefore, since Christ suffered in His body, arm yourselves also with the same attitude, because he who has suffered in his body is done with sin. As a result, he does no live the rest of his earthly life for evil human desires, but rather for the will of God. For you have spent enough time in the past doing what pagans choose to do-living in debauchery, lust, drunkenness, orgies, carousing, and detestable idolatry. They think it strange that you do not plunge in the same flood of dissipation, and they heap abuse on you (1 Peter 4:1-4)."
It is not until Christ removes the veil from someones eyes that they can truly see and understand the things of God. In the meantime, they will think it is foolish. So, the question is, are you in, all of you? Jesus is not looking for part-time followers who have one foot in the world and one foot in the kingdom. As a follower of Christ, you are in the world, but not of the world. Keep your guard up. Everything the world stands for contradicts the word of God. "Do not love the world or anything in the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him. For everything in the world-the cravings of sinful man, the lust of his eyes and the boasting of what he has and does-comes not from the Father, but from the world. The world and its desires pass away, but the man who does the will of God lives forever (1 John 2:15-17)."
You have a choice to make. Are you going to take a stand for Christ? Now is the time. In love, Jesus, the perfect, spotless Lamb of God gave His life so that you and I could have life. He took the punishment that we deserved. He died a horrific death and bore all of our sin. He rose from the dead and is seated at the right hand of the Father. He is the only one who is worthy of all glory, honor and praise. "To Him who loves us and has freed us from our sins by His blood, and has made us to be a kingdom and priests to serve His God and Father-to Him be glory and power for ever and ever! Amen (Revelation 1:5-6)." One day we will all face judgment. It will either be at the judgment seat of Christ or the Great White Throne Judgment. If your name is not found in the book of life, you will be eternally separated from God and thrown into the lake of fire. (Revelation 20:15) I want to make you aware of what is going to take place. These aren't my words, but God's words. Understand my friend, that Jesus came to give you life. Hell was created for the devil and his angels (Matthew 25:41). God does not want anyone to perish, but all to come to repentance. (2 Peter 3:9) God in His grace and mercy draws you to Himself by the power of the Holy Spirit. At that point, you have a choice to make. Am I going to choose Jesus or am I going to reject Him? Choose life!
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