Following Jesus

Does Jesus really expect his followers to give up everything?

In the same way, those of you who do not give up everything you have cannot be my disciples. Luke 14:33

The answer according to scripture, Jesus very own words, is a resounding yes. And if it sounds too hard to do, understand that it was too hard for many in Jesus’ day, too.

On hearing it, many of his disciples said, “This is a hard teaching. Who can accept it?” John 6:60

It’s no different today then it was back then. Human hearts are human hearts but this ability to surrender literally everything,”…yes, even their own life…,(Lk 14:26)” is not often like an on the road to Damascus experience. Generally, it’s a process that Believers go through.

“And I will give them one heart, and a new spirit I will put  within them. I will remove the heart of stone from their flesh  and give them a heart of flesh..” Ezekiel 11:19

The Holy Spirit will do the necessary work of molding hearts that are aligned with and desire the Father’s will. Those whom like King David, who was said to be a man after God’s own heart even after he had repented from murdering an innocent man, and those like Peter, who though cowardly denied knowing Jesus 3 times, is ultimatley thought to have died by crucifixion upside-down as he did not believe he was worthy to die in the same manner as Jesus. This same Spirit is alive in you and in me, changing us so our lives will shine the light on Jesus.

Behold, I have refined you, but not as silver; I have tried you in the furnace of affliction. (Is 48:10)

Indeed, fire hurts, and it manifests in myriads of ways — intense pressure, a deep loss, or betrayal — all things Jesus had to and willingly experienced in order to redeem all of us who would respond to the Spirit’s call. And so it continues today, for each and every follower who claims to love Jesus.

Dear friends, do not be surprised at the fiery ordeal that has come on you to test you, as though something strange were happening to you. But rejoice inasmuch as you participate in the sufferings of Christ, so that you may be overjoyed when his glory is revealed. (1 Peter 4:12-13)

Believers will constantly come to junctions in life where tough decisions will have to be made. Choices that reveal just exactly who is Lord. And it’s in these defining moments when although surrender may look like defeat — just as it did for Jesus — the reality is that an eternal battle has been won.

Let us then approach God’s throne of grace with confidence, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need. ( Heb 4:16)