In the same way, those of you who do not give up everything you have cannot be my disciples. Luke 14:33
One of the freedoms given in America is the ability to seek one’s own wealth. With that freedom, most people are seeking or at least desiring to be wealthy. They are focused on how much they have and can get.
There is never enough. In the process of trying to get all these things and wealth, many will give up a lot of things. Some understand that one must give up something now to get something greater later.
Jesus gave some parables about how some try to build something, but did not consider the cost. He then tells the people that they must be willing to give up everything to be His disciple.
One thing that is claimed a lot is that one just needs to repent and believe in Jesus to be saved. While this is true for salvation, this is not the only requirement to be a follower or disciple of Jesus.
In order to be a true disciple of Jesus, one has to give up everything.
This is not necessarily throwing everything else out, but it is putting Jesus first above everything else. It is trusting Jesus with everything that one has and trusting Jesus for what He will give.
Often someone becomes a believer and continues to hold on to some sin or something that gets between him and God. God is to be on the throne of one’s heart. There is no room for anything else. If there is anything else on that throne, one is not a full, true disciple of Jesus, he is lost.
As one gives up everything for Jesus, God will fill those losses with greater things that will last for eternity.
You must ask yourself how much of a disciple of Jesus you are. Examine your life and see if there is anything in it that you are allowing to get between you and God. Those things, regardless of what they are, must go.
When Jesus is anything less than your everything, He is nothing to you and you will be left with nothing in the end.
Allow Jesus to be on the throne of your heart. Allow Him to be your everything, not just one more thing.
Are you a disciple of Jesus or not?
Today I pray that you will know Jesus as your Savior; that you will give up all to be a disciple of Jesus; that you will see God’s hand of provision for all you need in your life; that you will not fear giving up things for God; and that you will follow God with all of your life.
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