Salvation costs you nothing, but discipleship will cost you everything. Salvation occurs in a moment, but discipleship takes a lifetime. Jesus asks whether or not you truly want to live a life of discipleship. If you are a disciple, do not quit. Everything that matters is hard. Everything that matters is costly. Do not quit. Don’t waste your life. Make your death count. Do not raise your hand unless you’re ready to see it through to the end.
The moment I asked Christ to come into my life, I was saved. That very moment my place in heaven was guaranteed. But what was next? What was I supposed to do until that time comes?
In Romans 6, Paul talks about sin and the person we were before our new life in Christ. We live in the freedom of God's grace and are free from the bondage of sin. So the answer is to rid yourself of your old ways and completely give yourself to God. Every part of you. Every area of your life. Use your life to glorify God and bring others to know Christ. Be a disciple of Christ.
In Matthew 28:18-20, Christ tells us to "go and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit. Teach these new disciples to obey all the commands I have given you. And be sure of this: I am with you always, even to the end of the age.”
Discipleship.
Take up your cross and follow Him.
Die to yourself and live for Christ.
Sound easy? Not quite. We are filled with our own human desires and surrounded by a culture that fuels those desires with everything you could want at your fingertips. When you make the choice to follow God's plan you are putting aside your own desires and placing your trust in God. This doesn't mean you will have an easy life, but it does mean that Christ will always be with you...in the good times and the bad.
At the beginning of this year, I took time to fast and pray over God's plan for my life. Throughout the month, I felt God's presence as I continuously prayed and listened. The time I spent with him was indescribable, the closeness was intense, and the clarity He gave me was mind-blowing! (One day I will write about my experience) I was filled with peace and joy as He showed me the path he had laid out for my family and me. Knowing His plan would bring changes in our lives, I wholeheartedly decided to follow God's plan and held tightly to what Christ said: "I am with you always...". I was on top of the mountain, in the presence of God, following HIS will.
Then came the storms of life.
Spiritual warfare, opposition, personal attacks, and accusations. Anything to knock me off the path that God had laid out for me. Thankfully, I wasn't naive in thinking that "as long as I follow God's plan, everything will be peachy". I've done a bible study on spiritual warfare in the past and read that the devil attacks those close to God. Both Christ and Paul both warn of persecution of followers of Christ. Be prepared. Many people have the impression (as I once did), that as long as you follow Christ then it will be smooth sailing from then on. Brace yourself...that's FALSE! God never said it would be easy. He said He would be with you. Keep your feet on God's path and have faith in knowing that he will guide you through the darkness.
During the the time I spent seeking God and his plan, unbeknownst to me, He was preparing me for what was to come. He filled me with strength, patience, and understanding. Three things that have been vital to fending off the devil's attacks, persevering through the hard times, and remaining strong for my children and family.
If you desire to follow God and truly want to live for Christ so that everything you do brings glory to God, put on the armor of God! Get ready. Be prepared. There will be persecution, ridicule, opposition, hard times, and attacks. Don't give up. Don't lose hope. Stay faithful. Yes, the cost of following Christ is high, but it does not compare to the cost of not following Him. I would rather live in this world with persecution for my faith in Christ and opposition for my willingness to follow his plan, knowing that I have the Spirit of God in me, than live this life without persecution and without knowing and experiencing God's astounding love and grace.
Matthew 7:13-14, Matthew 7:21-23, Matthew 28:18-20, Luke 9:23, John 16, 2 Timothy 3:12, Proverbs 3:5-6, Jeremiah 29:11
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