Luke 14:26-34 NKJ
If anyone comes to Me and does not hate his father and mother, wife and children, brothers and sisters, yes, and his own life also, he cannot be My disciple. And whoever does not bear his cross and come after Me cannot be My disciple.
For which of you, intending to build a tower, does not sit down first and count the cost, whether he has enough to finish it— lest, after he has laid the foundation, and is not able to finish, all who see it begin to mock him, saying, ‘This man began to build and was not able to finish’?
Or what king, going to make war against another king, does not sit down first and consider whether he is able with ten thousand to meet him who comes against him with twenty thousand? Or else, while the other is still a great way off, he sends a delegation and asks conditions of peace.
So likewise, whoever of you does not forsake all that he has cannot be My disciple.
“Salt is good; but if the salt has lost its flavour, how shall it be seasoned? It is neither fit for the land nor for the dunghill, but men throw it out. He who has ears to hear, let him hear!”
Jesus said we must die completely. Not partially, not lukewarm so as to serve two masters, drinking the cup of God and devils.
John 12:24-25 Most assuredly, I say to you, unless a grain of wheat falls into the ground and dies, it remains alone; but if it dies, it produces much grain. He who loves his life will lose it, and he who hates his life in this world will keep it for eternal life.
In order to die completely to ourselves, we must count the cost of doing so. How can we die completely to self, if there has been no full evaluation of what we are dying too or loosing and why ?
We must consider the full implications of this decision, both ways, whether we do or don’t, and Jesus confirms, there is no middle ground.
Only when we fully comprehend the consequences of a lukewarm commitment to God, will we chose to love Him more than anything else in this world.
Revelation 3:15-19. I know your works, that you are neither cold nor hot. I could wish you were cold or hot. So then, because you are lukewarm, and neither cold nor hot, I will vomit you out of My mouth. Because you say, ‘I am rich, have become wealthy, and have need of nothing’—and do not know that you are wretched, miserable, poor, blind, and naked— I counsel you to buy from Me gold refined in the fire, that you may be rich; and white garments, that you may be clothed, that the shame of your nakedness may not be revealed; and anoint your eyes with eye salve, that you may see. As many as I love, I rebuke and chasten. Therefore be zealous and repent.
Definition of Zealous: Deuteronomy 6:5 You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your strength.
Only when we fully understand the full cost of undertaking this critical, life changing transformation, can we come close to fulfilling a crucified life in Christ.
What are we giving up ? EVERYTHING! Just as Jesus did for us, so must we also.
Our will, our emotions, our motives, our fears, our desires and lusts. All is grasping at the wind and vanity, as King Solomon discovered.
The truth is, holding on to any of those things will surely lead to eternal death. But loosing them is to gain eternal life in Christ.
Only when we fully understand this truth, will the fear of God ( a true treasure Isaiah 33:6 ) fill you with the life giving revelation, that we must lose ourselves completely. And this is the only reasonable thing to do.
1 Corinthians 6:19-20. Or do you not know that your body is the temple of the Holy Spirit who is in you, whom you have from God, and you are not your own? For you were bought at a price; therefore glorify God in your body and in your spirit, which are God’s.
Romans 12:1-2. I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that you present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable to God, which is your reasonable service. And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God.
The truth is, Jesus showed us the way, by example, and said pick up your cross and follow me. Also love your God with all your heart, soul and mind. Do not deceive yourself, there are and will be, no excuses. We cannot stand before Him and say we did not know, because we do. Many people choose to love the lusts and pleasures of the world, instead of, loving Him entirely, who first loved us and died for us.
Choose the free gift of life in Christ, while on offer.
After all, a life fully in Christ is gaining every good thing and every perfect thing from God our Father and the full richness of His eternal, perfect love in Christ Jesus. Amen.
God Bless, with love from your dead, yet alive and eternally well, brother in Christ.
We hope, this blog, led by the Holy Spirit, has encouraged and edified you, in your walk with Jesus.
With love from your brother in Christ.
Thank you for joining us here, you are welcome to leave a comment if you like.
Paul
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