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COSTLY BUSINESS
'If you do not carry your own cross and follow me, you cannot be my disciple' Luke 14:27
This is tough talk from Jesus. He's asking his listeners to take a position: are you in or out? Are you with me or not? And the way He says He knows you're serious about being His disciple is about actions, not just words. Discipleship comes down to whether you're willing to take the responsibilities as well as the rewards of following Jesus. There are countless benefits in being a Christian but there's also a high cost.
Many people wear gold or silver crosses, which is kind of ridiculous when you think about it like this: It's a bit like wearing a tiny electric chair or a hangman's gallows around your neck.
Jesus' first followers wouldn't have thought that there's anything pretty about the cross - it's an instrument of death. So when Jesus talks about picking up and carrying our crosses, what He's talking about is being willing to die to something.
And that's the heart of the matter: if it comes to it, are you willing to let your own goals, glory and gain "die" for the sake of following the Master? If your answer is 'no', Jesus is clear: you cannot be his disciple. Ouch.
What now? Brother Lawrence said: 'Let us think often, that our only business in this life is to please God.' Practice asking yourself before each action, word, or thought, 'Will this please the Lord?'
written by Bob Gass
'If you do not carry your own cross and follow me, you cannot be my disciple' Luke 14:27
This is tough talk from Jesus. He's asking his listeners to take a position: are you in or out? Are you with me or not? And the way He says He knows you're serious about being His disciple is about actions, not just words. Discipleship comes down to whether you're willing to take the responsibilities as well as the rewards of following Jesus. There are countless benefits in being a Christian but there's also a high cost.
Many people wear gold or silver crosses, which is kind of ridiculous when you think about it like this: It's a bit like wearing a tiny electric chair or a hangman's gallows around your neck.
Jesus' first followers wouldn't have thought that there's anything pretty about the cross - it's an instrument of death. So when Jesus talks about picking up and carrying our crosses, what He's talking about is being willing to die to something.
And that's the heart of the matter: if it comes to it, are you willing to let your own goals, glory and gain "die" for the sake of following the Master? If your answer is 'no', Jesus is clear: you cannot be his disciple. Ouch.
What now? Brother Lawrence said: 'Let us think often, that our only business in this life is to please God.' Practice asking yourself before each action, word, or thought, 'Will this please the Lord?'
written by Bob Gass
