TEXT: Luke 14:25-35
25. And there went great multitudes with him; and he turned, and said unto them,

26. If any man come to me, and hate not his father, and mother, and wife, and children, and brethren, and sisters, yea, and his own life also, he cannot be my disciple.

27. And whosoever doth not bear his cross, and come after me, cannot be my disciple.

28. For which of you, intending to build a tower, sitteth not down first, and counteth the cost, whether he have sufficient to finish it?

29. Lest haply, after he hath laid the foundation, and is not able to finish it, all that behold it begin to mock him,

30. Saying, This man began to build, and was not able to finish.

31. Or what king, going to make war against another king, sitteth not down first, and consulteth whether he be able with ten thousand to meet him that cometh against him with twenty thousand?

32. Or else, while the other is yet a great way off, he sendeth an ambassage, and desireth conditions of peace.

33. So likewise, whosoever he be of you that forsaketh not all that he hath, he cannot be my disciple.

34. Salt is good; but if the salt have lost his savour, wherewith shall it be seasoned?

35. It is neither fit for the land, nor yet for the dunghill; but men cast it out. He that hath ears to hear, let him hear.

“If any man come to me, and hate not his father, and mother, and wife, and children, and brethren, and sisters, yea, and his own life also, he cannot be my disciple.” – (Luke 14:26).

MESSAGE

We are often quick to profess our love for God. We put up a public show of it in the way we dress, in the manner of our speech and in our dietary preferences. We present ourselves as God’s favourite children who are regular in church services and dutiful in meeting all our religious obligations. And we therefore conclude that these are all what God needs.

Nothing can be farther from the truth. God’s standard is much higher, and He expects us to abide by it. Great multitudes had followed Jesus Christ. Knowing their hidden motives for coming, He made one of the most remarkable statements in the gospel. He told them that those who would follow Him and become His disciples, must love God far above everyone else – parents, spouse and children. They must, above all, love God more than they love themselves. They must also be prepared to make far-reaching sacrifices, to bear their cross.

Christ did not want them to gather frivolously around Him. They must first count the cost of what discipleship entails. He underscored this point with the illustration of the need to prepare and provide adequately before embarking on a construction project or waging a war against an enemy. Discipleship demands that they forget their achievements and personal preferences, and follow Christ. This is the only way they could be useful in the kingdom of God.

The Lord does not want us to make empty profession of our love for Him, but to demonstrate it by our actions. We must come to Christ without any hidden agenda, or self-serving motive. Our concern should be to follow His footsteps and work for the expansion of the kingdom of God. We must subordinate our personal ego, ambitions and achievements to the lordship of Jesus Christ. We must take Him at His word, and follow as He leads.

THOUGHT FOR THE DAY:
True discipleship matters only when it serves Christ’s interest.

THE BIBLE IN ONE YEAR:
Hebrews 5-9

DCLM Daily Manna 24th September 2022 | How Much Do You Love God?