Luke 9:23-26
Recently I was reviewing some of my illustrations and came across a computer file titled Confidence Control and Trust that contained a letter from some long time family friends and believers in Jesus Christ. They wrote about the recent passing of a family member and those now left behind. The letter continued by stating that three days before that loss the boss had called the husband in for a difficult conversation which led to him being laid off from his job. I saved the letter because of the second to last paragraph where their commitment to Christ was restated regardless of how dark and difficult their present situation looked. Their stated desire was to be sensitive to what God would have them do and respond accordingly. For the disciple of Christ commitment to Christ is not just when life is easy. Commitment for the disciple means following in the difficult times. In Luke 9:23 Jesus said, “If anyone would come after me, he must deny himself and take up his cross daily and follow me.” This verse speaks of the sacrifice of self and the imitation of the selfless attitude and action of Christ. There is also the sacrifice of service as we are challenged to pick up our cross. The cross was well known in Jesus day as a source of suffering that would lead to death. Jesus notes that sacrifice and suffering are marks of those who chose to be committed followers of Him. Jesus says that this is a daily practice, as illustrated by my friends. A disciple of Christ is a committed follower of Christ who practices what Christ has taught and follows the model of how Christ lived. Commitment to Christ counts the cost of following Him in the present and unashamedly follows Him each day, even in the difficult ones. Are we disciples of Jesus who completely believe only in Him and are committed to living only for Him?
For more see LUKE or DISCIPLESHIP
Recently I was reviewing some of my illustrations and came across a computer file titled Confidence Control and Trust that contained a letter from some long time family friends and believers in Jesus Christ. They wrote about the recent passing of a family member and those now left behind. The letter continued by stating that three days before that loss the boss had called the husband in for a difficult conversation which led to him being laid off from his job. I saved the letter because of the second to last paragraph where their commitment to Christ was restated regardless of how dark and difficult their present situation looked. Their stated desire was to be sensitive to what God would have them do and respond accordingly. For the disciple of Christ commitment to Christ is not just when life is easy. Commitment for the disciple means following in the difficult times. In Luke 9:23 Jesus said, “If anyone would come after me, he must deny himself and take up his cross daily and follow me.” This verse speaks of the sacrifice of self and the imitation of the selfless attitude and action of Christ. There is also the sacrifice of service as we are challenged to pick up our cross. The cross was well known in Jesus day as a source of suffering that would lead to death. Jesus notes that sacrifice and suffering are marks of those who chose to be committed followers of Him. Jesus says that this is a daily practice, as illustrated by my friends. A disciple of Christ is a committed follower of Christ who practices what Christ has taught and follows the model of how Christ lived. Commitment to Christ counts the cost of following Him in the present and unashamedly follows Him each day, even in the difficult ones. Are we disciples of Jesus who completely believe only in Him and are committed to living only for Him?
For more see LUKE or DISCIPLESHIP
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