Disciple

Are you a personal follower of Jesus?
Is this discipleship based on your terms?

Obedience—read your Bible more, go to church, take my kids to church, go to worship concerts, go on mission trips? Or is it on His terms?

“If anyone comes to me and does not hate everyone else by comparison—your father and mother, wife and children, brothers and sisters—yes, even your own life—such a person cannot be my disciple.”

~Luke 14:26

Jesus said, “Anyone who loves their father or mother more than me is not worthy of being mine; anyone who loves their son or daughter more than me is not worthy of being mine. Whoever does not take up their cross and follow me is not worthy of being mine.” (Matthew 10:37-38)

If you want to follow Jesus on His terms, you certainly should consider the cost! What Jesus is talking about is a “Greater Love”... a love so supreme that your love for family and self would look like hate. The supremacy of Christ and our love for Him should drive everything we do. This is what makes us capable to show the love of God to our spouse, children, and friends.

If you were at the beach, and you and your love for Christ were in a boat, and the love for your family and friends was on the sand... your boat (according to Jesus’ terms) should be so far from the shore that you could not even see the land, let alone your family and friends!

The old adage, "God first, Family second, and Friends third" seems to not apply to Jesus’ teachings! Love the Lord your God with ALL your heart, with ALL your soul, with ALL your strength and with ALL your mind. (Luke 10:27)

Supreme Love, or do you just flirt with Jesus?