Now great multitudes were going with him. He turned and said to them, “If anyone comes to me, and doesn’t disregard his own father, mother, wife, children, brothers, and sisters, yes, and his own life also, he can’t be my disciple. Luke 14:25-26 WEB
Jesus follows this controversial statement with a parable about a man who begins to build a house without first counting the cost. After construction was underway, the man realized that he could not finish the house and abandoned the project, losing the time and money he invested in the process. This story illustrates the importance of understanding the total cost of committing our lives to the Lord.
In order to be a disciple of Chrisfor Christ to call us “my disciple,” we must be willing to give up everything to serve him. Jesus says, “he can’t be my disciple” unless we place him above worldly things. If our parents, associates, or other family members do not believe, we still must live in obedience to the will of God. When those around us choose to continue in sinful lives of disobedience, we must not follow their example. Rather, we set the good example of service to the kingdom of heaven.
Rejecting the World
When we disregard family, friends, and even our own lives, we are in truth rejecting the world in favor of Christ. We are still commanded to love one another and even love our enemies but reminded that we do not follow the path of those still lost in sin. If our family believes as we do, then we work together with them in the kingdom of heaven. If they do not believe, then we reasonably reject their worldly ways.
Deciding to follow Christ, we first consider the cost of our devotion to the Lord. If family members reject our choice, a conflict arises. Do we please the people to whom we are most closely related here on earth or do we live lives that are pleasing to God? If in our discipleship we find ourselves pulled away from Christ because of the worldly influences of family or selfish desires, then, like the man who failed to complete his house because he had not counted the cost, we will fail in our service to the Lord.
Prayer: “Father God, thank you for the wisdom of your word. Thank you for the devotion of Jesus Christ. Help me to walk with you each day. Guide me to be of service to the kingdom of heaven. In Jesus’ name – Amen”
Yesterday’s Devotional: A Second Time
