Our Lord Jesus set the conditions of discipleship when He said:
“If anyone comes to me and does not hate his father and mother, his wife and children, his brothers and sisters – yes, even his own life – he cannot be my disciple.” (Luke 14:26)
“And anyone who does not carry his cross and follow me cannot be my disciple.” (Luke 14:27)
“In the same way, any of you who does not give up everything he has cannot be my disciple.” (Luke 14:33)
Many today have only a superficial relationship with Christ Jesus. Jesus tells us that to follow Him means total submission to Him – perhaps even to the point of death.
Many believers have become intertwined with the world and do all that they can to avoid taking a stand for Jesus. Jesus tells us that if a believer loses his or her saltiness, they are neither fit for the soil nor for the manure pile (Luke 14:35).
Do not be deceived – those our Lord uses are those who love Him personally, passionately, and with great devotion; those whose love for Him goes far beyond any relationship, life, purpose, ministry, business enterprise – any and all things. His conditions are rigorous and adventurous, but they are wonderful and the only way of life He ever intended.
God Almighty will inspect all that we build (1 Corinthians 3:10-15). Is the foundation of your life Jesus Christ? Is He your base, your reason for being? Everything you are and do must fit into the pattern provided by Him. Are you building your life on the only real and lasting foundation, or are you building on a faulty foundation such as wealth, security, success, or fame?
Are you maturing, becoming more spiritually sensitive, and doctrinally sound? Have you grown in your relationship with Lord Jesus Christ?
How salty are you?
-doug morrell
We are so used to living in this world, its function is what we know. You function naturally in this world, as a sinner. When you make that decision to change and live for God, at first it feels like swimming up stream.
Salty, yes I’m salty. A salty sinner. But, everyday I want to know God more and grow toward the right – toward God. And everyday I am quicker to remember and make automatic choices based on that decision to first seek the will of God.