AUG 11

Luke 9:57-62
Memorise Luke 14:28
“…counteth the cost whether he hath sufficient to finish it?”

Jesus explained to a man who wished to become His follower the harsh reality of deciding to take this step. Jesus had no permanent home and enjoyed few, if any, creature comforts. Those who wished to be His disciples had to forego such things in order to follow Him.

There were 2 other men who also had the same intention to follow Christ but requested to have some of their affairs settled before making the decision to commit themselves to Him. One of them wanted to bury his father before leaving while the other wanted to bid his family farewell. In both instances Jesus disapproved of their procrastination because He understood their heart condition and knew that those earthly concerns would eventually dissuade them from joining Him.

Here, Jesus not only demanded immediate and unreserved commitment to Him but also considered those who look back with yearning upon the life they had before knowing Christ, to be people who are not genuine believers in the first place (Luke 9:62).

Counting the cost before making any important life-changing decision is absolutely essential if one is to be prepared to stay the course and follow their decision right through to the very end. Here, Jesus wants us to have a reasonable faith rather than a blind faith. He does not desire anyone to confess Him frivolously without very careful consideration and honest self-evaluation.

Far from the popular clichés of taking the “leap of faith” or “taking the plunge” which have undertones of impulsivity and recklessness, becoming a disciple of Christ is an act of faith in the truthfulness of the Gospel as taught in the Bible. It is based upon a careful and detailed consideration of the facts as proclaimed in God’s Word. True saving faith is one that involves both the mind and the heart. There is no place for thoughtlessness and rashness.

Thought: It is better to debate over God’s Word in order to better understand it than to accept any of it without proper understanding.
Prayer: Let me see, O Lord, the folly of placing anything above You.