Leaving the Old World Behind
Luke 14:33
So likewise, whosoever he be of you that forsaketh not all that he hath, he cannot be my disciple.
Thought:
From Sunday's sermon, we learned that the Sir John Franklin expedition carried the comforts of England into the frozen Arctic. They brought silver dishes, fine clothing, and other nice but useless things instead of what they really needed for survival. They tried to keep their old world with them, and it cost them their lives.
Many people try to follow Jesus in the same way. They want to keep all of their old loyalties, habits, and idols while also calling themselves disciples. But Jesus says that a person who does not give up everything he has cannot be His disciple. This does not always mean that Christ will remove every possession or relationship from your life. It does mean that nothing you own and no one you love can own you.
To forsake all means to hold every gift in an open hand before God. Your money, reputation, plans, and even the people you love most are placed under the Lordship of Jesus. He is free to rearrange, to give, to take, and to lead as He chooses. A disciple is no longer the owner. A disciple is the steward of what belongs to Christ.
Prayer:
Father, in Jesus name, I bring everything I am and everything I have before You. Forgive me for trying to carry the old world with me while claiming to follow Christ. I confess that all I have is Yours. Teach me how to hold my money, my time, my relationships, and my future with open hands. Help me to love Your gifts, but to worship only You. Make my heart free from idols so that Jesus alone is my Lord. Amen.
So likewise, whosoever he be of you that forsaketh not all that he hath, he cannot be my disciple.
Thought:
From Sunday's sermon, we learned that the Sir John Franklin expedition carried the comforts of England into the frozen Arctic. They brought silver dishes, fine clothing, and other nice but useless things instead of what they really needed for survival. They tried to keep their old world with them, and it cost them their lives.
Many people try to follow Jesus in the same way. They want to keep all of their old loyalties, habits, and idols while also calling themselves disciples. But Jesus says that a person who does not give up everything he has cannot be His disciple. This does not always mean that Christ will remove every possession or relationship from your life. It does mean that nothing you own and no one you love can own you.
To forsake all means to hold every gift in an open hand before God. Your money, reputation, plans, and even the people you love most are placed under the Lordship of Jesus. He is free to rearrange, to give, to take, and to lead as He chooses. A disciple is no longer the owner. A disciple is the steward of what belongs to Christ.
Prayer:
Father, in Jesus name, I bring everything I am and everything I have before You. Forgive me for trying to carry the old world with me while claiming to follow Christ. I confess that all I have is Yours. Teach me how to hold my money, my time, my relationships, and my future with open hands. Help me to love Your gifts, but to worship only You. Make my heart free from idols so that Jesus alone is my Lord. Amen.
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