In the gospel written by Apostle Luke, Jesus states to his disciples some very powerful requirements if they want to remain as His disciples (Luke 9:23). Remember, Jesus does not say, that "You should", Jesus says "Whoever wants to be my disciple". Sort of a choice, Jesus gives this choice to all of us everyday, as we go about our every day life as "nominal Christians", but not as His "real disciples" that He wants us to be. Yes, a choice, nevertheless a requirement too, if you want to be Jesus's Disciple!
In Luke's gospel, Jesus tells His Chosen Twelve who have already been with Him, as His disciples, for a considerable amount of time - may be more than a year by then, that if you want to continue to be my disciple (after I am gone from you), you need to satisfy these three non-negotiable requirements:
1) Deny yourself
2) Take up your cross, DAILY
3) Follow me
These requirements are meant for every disciple of Jesus Christ. First requirement needs no explanation.You just have to put God first in everything. Second requirement was interpreted by Dallas Theological Seminary Chancellor, Dr. Charles Swindoll as: "saying no to your will and doing His will"). And, the third requirement is a continuous tense which means "just keep following Him, keep following Him, keeeeeeep on following Him constantly".
We can expand "following Him" in many ways but I like to bring your attention to Paul's letter to Colossians chapter 1 starting in v.10. "...that you may live a life worthy of the Lord and please him in every way: bearing fruit in every good work, growing in the knowledge of God, 11 being strengthened with all power according to his glorious might so that you may have great endurance and patience, 12 and giving joyful thanks to the Father, who has qualified you to share in the inheritance of his holy people in the kingdom of light".
Most of us who have a "day job", attend churches, Bible Study and prayer meetings and other fellowships and consider that we have done quite enough for the week or month for our Jesus. Was there a cost in such discipleship activities? If you really examine you will realize you did not have to endure any pain or patience or sacrifice in those Bible-based activities. Because most of these activities are carried out in the comfort of a temperature-controlled room/space, well appointed chairs/sofas, with sumptuous snack/meal/drink to go along with those activities. What was the cost of discipleship that was paid in these activities??? Let that soak in a bit.
I seem to have a new appreciation to these two scripture references from Luke and Colossians and have begun to internalize the relvelation of its deeper meaning and purpose in my life. The Holy Spirit is working pretty constantly in me as he is shedding new light as He enlarges God's will and purpose as to what God is wanting of me.
Reference:
Luke 9:23-26
"...Whoever wants to be my disciple must deny themselves and take up their cross daily and follow me. 24 For whoever wants to save their life will lose it, but whoever loses their life for me will save it. 25 What good is it for someone to gain the whole world, and yet lose or forfeit their very self? 26 Whoever is ashamed of me and my words, the Son of Man will be ashamed of them when he comes in his glory and in the glory of the Father and of the holy angels.
JD
