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.” Luke 14:25-27 MSG
Let’s be honest. Anyone walking on the journey of being a disciple, let alone a believer, knows that there are many times where people and/or things can pull us away from following Jesus. We sometimes think that there are more important things to do or people to be with first before Jesus. We are constantly faced with the choice of who is Lord of our lives. We can even think that if I give up these people and things, then I’m losing out on something of great value.
In order for us to have become believers, we had to believe that Jesus gave up His life for us. In order for us to become disciples, Jesus needs to see us give up our lives for Him. The cost was worth everything to Him when He gave up His life for us. The cost is worth it for us to follow Jesus completely, developing in our lives and practicing what Jesus says for us to do. In fact, Jesus sees when we have paid the cost to follow Him and honors that while you are still here on earth and in the life to come with eternal life (read Mark 10:29-31).
We are disciples who are making disciples. If we are not currently looking like this, then we need to understand where we are. So here’s a heart check question: Is there someone and/or something you love more than Jesus? If the answer is yes, take a moment to find out why you are choosing that over Jesus. If you no longer want it to be that way, you can give that person or thing up before God, and repent, make Jesus Lord of your life, and start following Him. After, get into the Word of God with a Bible reading plan, journaling, listen to sermons, get into church and in community with other believers and disciples and let’s grow in Jesus.
