Scripture
“If you do not carry your own cross and follow me, you cannot be my disciple”
Observation
Jesus does not believe in easy discipleship, in the pragmatic approach of gathering a huge crowd to preach a nice message of salvation.
To follow Jesus means to give up everything including life. Family relationships become subservient. Reputation must die. Even our right to life is forfeit.
Jesus cautions us to count the cost first. Don't start the journey until you are sure you can finish it.
Unlike the religious hucksters of today, Jesus makes it clear that his path is not easy, it's not “Your Best Life”, but in fact is a difficult and rocky life.
Application
Every day we make choices either for self or for God. When we first come faith in Jesus we settle the general direction of our lives, but every day we choose to die again to what we want.
In some places the choice is stark- it really is life or death, Christ or family. In Australia, though, the battle is more subtle, it's about choosing to believe the dominant mind-set of selfishness or to go against the flow.
Given the choice between a painful death and denying Christ, which would I choose today? Or between the respect of family and friends or following Jesus? Or between my career and obedience to the way of God?
The choice must always fall on the side of Jesus regardless of the cost, or we are really not saved.
Prayer
Father save us from easy faith, the belief that we can have both Jesus and the world, Show me areas where I try to have it both ways, and help me to choose only you. Amen.
No comments:
Post a Comment