Topic: Not A Blind Commitment [Friday May 25, 2018]
Text: Luke 14:25-35 (KJV)
Key Verse: “So likewise, whosoever he be of you that forsaketh not all that he hath, he cannot be my disciple” (Luke 14:33)
MESSAGE:
In the passage, great multitudes followed Jesus. This afforded Him the opportunity to deliver the most fundamental teaching on Christian discipleship: complete surrender to His lordship. He did not want the crowd to follow sheepishly without counting the cost. It was not a question of sheer large numbers.
He warned that He did not desire blind or naïve decisions that anticipated only blessings. His teaching asked for love greater than that shown to one’s family. Jesus’ concern is that as a wise builder prudently plans what it will cost to erect a structure, a disciple should also think deep about his determination to follow the narrow path of Christ. Our Lord also likened following Him to the case of a king going to war. He must examine his military strength against that of the enemy before embarking on the campaign.
The same is with a serious believer whose goal is heaven. Before committing himself to Christ, he must be ready to pay the price. There would be seasons of persecution, trials and temptation from Satan, who does not desire him to make heaven. Following Jesus is not crisis-free. There will be death-threatening challenges from friends and family to make the believer turn back from the Lord. The believer may sometimes have to give up a promising career and treasured resources for the sake of Christ and the Kingdom.
The Lord expects unconditional surrender if we are to bear the title of Christ’s disciple. That total submission is what would fit us for the heavenly home reserved for us and retain our status as the salt of the earth, which will be useless the moment it is adulterated. The disciple who does not count the cost of discipleship before jumping into the boat would lose his saltiness and be a laughing stock.
Thought For The Day: He who will follow Christ must first count the cost.
Bible Reading in One Year: 1 Chronicles 23-25
DCLM Daily Manna was written by Pastor William Folorunso Kumuyi; is the founder and General Superintendent of the Deeper Life Bible Church situated at KM 42 on the busy Lagos-Ibadan Expressway, Nigeria.
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