10/01/2021

Mat 16 v 13-28; Acts 23 v 1-11; Ps 37 v 23-40; Ex 38 v 1 - 40 v 38
The cost of discipleship

“For whoever wishes to save his life will lose it; but whoever loses his life for My sake will find it.” (Mat 16 v 25)

What makes us think that this life is all that matters, for when we die everything just comes to an end, or that we are once saved, always saved when we come to faith in Christ and therefore we will reach our destination, regardless of how we live our lives here on earth.

There is no simple answer to this dilemma, seeing that there are so many diverse views on what the above verse means and what discipleship really entails.

Peter, on the one hand acknowledged Jesus as the Christ, while at the same time refused to believe that He would suffer and die. Is this because Peter, himself, didn’t look forward to giving up His life? Could this be the reason he denied Jesus three times?

We are no different and can certainly learn from Paul, who simply ignored his brethren when they tried to prevent him from going to Jerusalem. He was willing to sacrifice his own life for the sake of the gospel and “solemnly witnessed to His (Jesus’) cause.” Acts 23 v 11) [paraphrase].

Where do you stand on your view of discipleship? Is your faith merely a religious pass time, for we have to believe in something, right? Or is your faith in the Lord Jesus, founded on the word and grounded in His truths?

Let’s make an effort to examine ourselves today. Are you willing to deny yourself, pick up your cross and follow Him, wherever it may lead you? Can you place your trust and your hope in Him, without looking out for your own interest, but purely His will?

May the Lord speak to you like He did with Paul and reveal the treasures of His word to you. May He anoint you with a special task for the sake of His kingdom. Be prepared to give up everything that is from this world to serve God to the fullest.

“Wait for the Lord and keep His way, and He will exalt you to inherit the land…” (Ps 37 v 34). Take refuge in Him, for He is your strength in times of trouble.

Scripture quotations taken from the NASB, Life Application Study Bible, unless stated otherwise. Copyright by “The Lockman Foundation“