Luke 14:25-33
One day when large groups of people
were walking along with him, Jesus turned and told them, “Anyone who
comes to me but refuses to let go of father, mother, spouse, children,
brothers, sisters—yes, even one’s own self!—can’t be my disciple. Anyone
who won’t shoulder his own cross and follow behind me can’t be my
disciple.
“Is there anyone here who, planning to build a new
house, doesn’t first sit down and figure the cost so you’ll know if you
can complete it? If you only get the foundation laid and then run out of
money, you’re going to look pretty foolish. Everyone passing by will
poke fun at you: ‘He started something he couldn’t finish.’
“Or
can you imagine a king going into battle against another king without
first deciding whether it is possible with his ten thousand troops to
face the twenty thousand troops of the other? And if he decides he
can’t, won’t he send an emissary and work out a truce?
“Simply
put, if you’re not willing to take what is dearest to you, whether plans
or people, and kiss it good-bye, you can’t be my disciple.
Scripture
quotations from The Message. © 1993, 1994, 1995, 1996, 2000, 2001, 2002
by Eugene Peterson. Used by permission of NavPress, Colorado Springs,
CO. All rights reserved.
I have a friend whose
grandfather was told by his Jewish parents that he would no longer be
welcome in their home if he chose Jesus…and he made the heartbreaking
decision to say “Goodbye” to his family. I know someone whose husband
told her, “It’s Him or me.” She chose Jesus…(and for the record, her
husband is still with her)!
I know countless people of all ages
and “positions” who have had to make hard choices between pleasing
someone else or “fitting in”…and following Jesus. I know people who
have lost their jobs because they wouldn’t lie or “cook the books” and
children who have been ridiculed and labeled “Jesus Freaks” because they
chose to honor God with their words and actions rather than go along
with the crowd. And when you are a kid going against the grain with
your peers or your parents…or a spouse or partner standing up to your
significant other and saying, “I choose Jesus over you”…this can be a
truly daunting decision. When you have mouths to feed and bills to pay,
it’s hard to tell your boss, I will not do this because it dishonors
God.
No one ever said being a Christian would be easy. And if
everyone failed to tell you this when you gave your heart and sinful
nature to Jesus, consider yourself told here and now! There will be
days when it seems so much easier to say, “Yeah, whatever!” and move
right along in the groove with everyone else. It’s hard to say “No” to
your friends, family, and co-workers…especially when they can’t seem to
see what all the fuss is about. There are a lot of Christians who are
somewhat “half-baked.” They have given their heart to Jesus and asked
for their sins to be forgiven…but they refuse to give Him everything.
They want to hold certain associations, attitudes and behaviors in
reserve. But you cannot be Jesus’ disciple if you aren’t willing to give
him every single speck of your life…body, mind and soul.
When it comes to Christian discipleship, good enough is simply not good enough!
Where are you still holding out on Jesus today? Where have you failed
to fully surrender to Him? Who – or what – are you putting ahead of
serving Christ completely? Will this be the day that you totally go
“all in” with Him and become His disciple, once and forever? Are you
ready to fall to your knees and get started?
©2015 Debbie Robus
Showing posts with label what it means to be a Christian. Show all posts
Showing posts with label what it means to be a Christian. Show all posts
Daily Devotional for May 23, 2015
Luke 22:19-20
Taking bread, he blessed it, broke it, and gave it to them, saying, “This is my body, given for you. Eat it in my memory.”
He did the same with the cup after supper, saying, “This cup is the new covenant written in my blood, blood poured out for you..
Scripture quotations from The Message. © 1993, 1994, 1995, 1996, 2000, 2001, 2002 by Eugene Peterson. Used by permission of NavPress, Colorado Springs, CO. All rights reserved.
Covenants are a part of our everyday life…from the loan agreement you signed with the bank for your car and/or house, to marriage vows, to enrolling in college or accepting a job. While some are more formal than others, we are constantly entering into “covenant” agreements to fulfill a commitment.
When we make a covenant, there are certain expectations on both sides. Your spouse expects you to be there “for richer or poorer, in sickness and in health” – for the rest of your life – and you expect the same in return! Your boss expects you to show up for work every day and do what is required of you…and you anticipate fair treatment and a paycheck. When you enroll in college, you count on learning something that will help you to grow and develop in certain areas of expertise…and the school of higher learning assumes that you will pay your tuition and attend the classes!
There are traditional covenants, like marriage agreements, the Hippocratic Oath taken by physicians, and the “swearing in” of public officials, law enforcement and military personnel. Even elected officials and religious leaders take an “Oath of Office” and promise to uphold the tenets or bylaws of the group that they serve. But there are less formal covenants that are in many ways just as binding. If I join an organization, the group anticipates my support and participation in its activities – whether it is a club, a church, or a local softball team, exercise class, or Bible study!
Even more importantly, when we accept Salvation through Jesus Christ and invite Him to dwell in our heart, we have created a covenant - a “blood covenant” if you will. Jesus shed His blood to pay for our sins…and when we accept His gift of Salvation, we commit to honor Him…to love Him above all others…to serve Him with our whole heart, according to His will.
A lot of people seem to gloss over this part of the “covenant.” They willingly accept Jesus’ redemption…they are more than happy to claim to be a Christian and a pardon that assures reprieve from the fires of hell and promises eternal Paradise. But they give no consideration to holding up their end of the agreement.
When we default on a loan, break a covenant with our spouse, or fail to attend classes and pay tuition…or even when we don’t attend the meetings and actively participate in an organization to which we belong…there are consequences. We might even be removed from the group…”exiled” in some way. Thankfully, Jesus does not go this far…but He does hang His head in shame and disappointment. We can’t just SAY we are Christians and then go about our old, sinful, uncommitted lives…or we shouldn’t. This does not reflect the “blood covenant”…nor does it honor our Savior.
It’s not a matter of worrying about whether we will go to Heaven or Hell…this is about commitment to Jesus…honor and respect…love and appreciation for the One who has given us EVERYTHING. Have you truly made a “blood covenant” with Christ? Are you making a point…or making a difference? Did you just want the “get out of Hell” ticket…or are you all in with Jesus? There a huge difference between these two options…which one have you chosen?
©2015 Debbie Robus
Taking bread, he blessed it, broke it, and gave it to them, saying, “This is my body, given for you. Eat it in my memory.”
He did the same with the cup after supper, saying, “This cup is the new covenant written in my blood, blood poured out for you..
Scripture quotations from The Message. © 1993, 1994, 1995, 1996, 2000, 2001, 2002 by Eugene Peterson. Used by permission of NavPress, Colorado Springs, CO. All rights reserved.
Covenants are a part of our everyday life…from the loan agreement you signed with the bank for your car and/or house, to marriage vows, to enrolling in college or accepting a job. While some are more formal than others, we are constantly entering into “covenant” agreements to fulfill a commitment.
When we make a covenant, there are certain expectations on both sides. Your spouse expects you to be there “for richer or poorer, in sickness and in health” – for the rest of your life – and you expect the same in return! Your boss expects you to show up for work every day and do what is required of you…and you anticipate fair treatment and a paycheck. When you enroll in college, you count on learning something that will help you to grow and develop in certain areas of expertise…and the school of higher learning assumes that you will pay your tuition and attend the classes!
There are traditional covenants, like marriage agreements, the Hippocratic Oath taken by physicians, and the “swearing in” of public officials, law enforcement and military personnel. Even elected officials and religious leaders take an “Oath of Office” and promise to uphold the tenets or bylaws of the group that they serve. But there are less formal covenants that are in many ways just as binding. If I join an organization, the group anticipates my support and participation in its activities – whether it is a club, a church, or a local softball team, exercise class, or Bible study!
Even more importantly, when we accept Salvation through Jesus Christ and invite Him to dwell in our heart, we have created a covenant - a “blood covenant” if you will. Jesus shed His blood to pay for our sins…and when we accept His gift of Salvation, we commit to honor Him…to love Him above all others…to serve Him with our whole heart, according to His will.
A lot of people seem to gloss over this part of the “covenant.” They willingly accept Jesus’ redemption…they are more than happy to claim to be a Christian and a pardon that assures reprieve from the fires of hell and promises eternal Paradise. But they give no consideration to holding up their end of the agreement.
When we default on a loan, break a covenant with our spouse, or fail to attend classes and pay tuition…or even when we don’t attend the meetings and actively participate in an organization to which we belong…there are consequences. We might even be removed from the group…”exiled” in some way. Thankfully, Jesus does not go this far…but He does hang His head in shame and disappointment. We can’t just SAY we are Christians and then go about our old, sinful, uncommitted lives…or we shouldn’t. This does not reflect the “blood covenant”…nor does it honor our Savior.
It’s not a matter of worrying about whether we will go to Heaven or Hell…this is about commitment to Jesus…honor and respect…love and appreciation for the One who has given us EVERYTHING. Have you truly made a “blood covenant” with Christ? Are you making a point…or making a difference? Did you just want the “get out of Hell” ticket…or are you all in with Jesus? There a huge difference between these two options…which one have you chosen?
©2015 Debbie Robus
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