Nobody: “Are you truly a disciple of Christ?”
Me: “Of course I am…I mean I believe in Jesus. I have confessed that He is the Son of God and Savior of my soul… that counts, right?”
So, what does it mean to be a disciple of Christ?
I’ve been meditating on Christ and discipleship lately, and today, I found myself in worship, listening to this song by Mali Music. (I do not own the rights to this song. All credit to Mali Music).
I have been preparing for the spiritual formation that will close out Life Worship Center’s Covenant Keepers class (that I teach) on discipleship.
As I meditated on the call to discipleship, I heard God ask me these questions;
1. “Do you love Me?”
2. “Do you give your whole heart to Me?”
3. “Do you surrender to My will, no matter the cost?”
4. “Do you serve Me with all your heart, soul, mind, and strength?”
5. “If you say you love Me, do you obey My Word?”
Whew, JESUS! 🙌🏾
We have to learn that there is a cost to discipleship.
One that calls for our whole life!
Not just physically, but most importantly, spiritually!
Dietrich Bonhoeffer put it this way:
“Such grace is costly because it calls us to follow, and it is grace because it calls us to follow Jesus Christ.
It is costly because it costs a man his life, and it is grace because it gives a man the only true life.
It is costly because it condemns sin and grace because it justifies the sinner.
Above all, it is costly because it cost God the life of his Son: “ye were bought at a price,”
and what has cost God much cannot be cheap for us.” (Dietrich Bonhoeffer, “The Cost of Discipleship”)
As you all prepare yourself for tomorrow, I ask you to ponder on these five questions.
Be honest with yourself and truly make a decision to consider Christ.
“And He said unto them, ‘follow Me and I will make you fishers of men.” (Matt 4:19)
I have to evaluate myself and truly discern if I am paying the cost to walk with Christ.
Do not misunderstand. Salvation is free to those who accept Jesus’ gift He paid for with His life.
In some ways, we join Him on the cross because we must “crucify the flesh daily.”
But Jesus made a promise.
“That I may know him, and the power of his resurrection, and the fellowship of his sufferings, being made conformable unto his death.” (Philippians 3:10)
The Apostle Peter reiterated this saying:
“Beloved, do not think it strange concerning the fiery trial which is to try you, as though some strange thing happened to you; but rejoice to the extent that you partake of Christ’s sufferings, that when His glory is revealed, you may also be glad with exceeding joy.” (1 Peter 4:12-13)
Jesus: “Do you deny yourself and take up your cross and follow Me.” (Matt 16:24)
Me (and you, too): “Yes, I Do” (song by Mali Music)
Blessings 💚
