WOW… Jesus thins out the crowd in Luke 14:25. I wonder if a pastor of a seeker friendly church would say what Jesus says here?
Now Great multitudes went with Him and He turned and said to them, “If anyone comes to Me and does not hate his father and mother, wife and children, brothers and sisters, yes, and his own life also he cannot be My disciple. And whoever does not bear his cross and come after Me, cannot be My disciple.
Jesus never adapted His message to the crowd or the majority of belief, or the current culture but always plainly declared the high cost of discipleship. He encourages them to “Count the cost” of being a child of God. See verses 28-34.
Yesterday a fellow Christian friend of mine said that he was basically giving up on God. That he was tired of trying to figure out God and why God is not answering any of his prayers… He was very self focused and feeling like God had abandoned him in his great time of need. I thinkthat all of us at one point or another has felt that way – but we do not verbally say that we are walking away from Him. That we are done with the whole God thing!
Well… In light of today’s scripture I can only come to the conclusion that this person is not a believer and that he did not rightly count the cost. He is shrinking back and God will find no pleasure in him. He is like so many today that is part of the “Great Multitude” of people who are interested in God and Jesus but they have not EVER come to the place where they see that Jesus is Lord of everything including their lives. Repentance of Sin did not really take place for SIN – is still lord in their lives and all they can see is their own selfishness and personal fulfillment.
I believe that many of the great multitude in Luke 14 vs 25 is like so many today. They are seeking after Jesus for their own gain and fulfillment – or to ensure that they do not go the hell – and when this “genie in the bottle” doesn’t produce what they want, then they “go out from us, because they were never part of us.” It is Tragic that the gospel that is being proclaimed today does not include this! It is Tragic that preachers are being taught to adapt their message to be culturally relevant. Jesus wasn’t!
Real true believers Love Jesus so that it is a growing part of their lives. SURE we still sin sometimes, (Romans 7) but that is not what we are characterized by. REAL believers are coming to the place where Christ is everything in their lives. HE is the source of fulfillment – not what He provides – but HIM!
Then in comparison – Our love for our families – and even our own lives are viewed as “hatred” in comparison. Am I there yet? NO! But at least I am certain that God is bringing me to this.
Today I also read Proverbs 20:24
Man’s steps are ordained by the LORD, How then can man understand his way?
Seems to be a conflict doesn’t it. There is a tension here that is a mystery. Do I make myself love Jesus to the Degree that by comparison my love for my family is hatred? Or is it God at work in me? The answer is “YES” to both. I must strive to run the race rightly – however it is God in me that is doing it all. This is one of the greatest mysteries in scripture! GOD or ME – the Answer is Yes.
Am I part of the great multitude that is interested in what He can do for me? Have I counted the real cost of being a real believer? Is the power of the Holy Spirit in me changing me into more of His image? Do I love Jesus more than I did? Am I growing towards Him or towards the world and it pleasures?
Very Tough questions -but it is good to ask yourself these from time to time!