Sacrifice
| [Jesus said:] "And anyone who does not carry his cross and follow me cannot be my disciple." (Luke14:27) |
A verse filled with a costly challenge, to true sacrificial discipleship. If not obeyed, will have eternal consequences as we read in Luke 14:34-35 "Salt is good, but if it loses its saltiness, how can it be made salty again? It is fit neither for the soil nor for the manure pile; it is thrown out."
Jesus Christ our Lord and Saviour has granted us an age of grace, He came to earth and was born into His own creation so that all who believe in His finished work on the Cross, for the forgiveness of sin might be forgiven -- and have eternal life.
The Father's offer of salvation is open to all who will come for it is a free gift of grace. But discipleship sets out some very demanding requirements. For when it comes to true discipleship the Lord Jesus is more concerned with quality of character and a heart that is focused on Him, rather than quantity in numbers.
Salvation means coming to Christ's cross for forgiveness of sin and life everlasting,which is open to all. But discipleship means carrying one's own cross and dying to self as we progress through our Christian life in submission to the Holy Spirit. Many come to Him for the salvation of their soul, but few come after Him in humility of spirit. Few are prepared to take up their own cross and follow Him in humble obedience to His word and willing submission to His will.
Redemption requires us to believe on the Person and Work of the Lord Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of our sins and by grace through faith in Him we are born from above, but that is only the starting point. Christ also wants faithful disciples who are modest of heart and sacrificial, who will give up all for His name's sake - and so He seeks men and women who are willing to pay a price, by taking up their cross and following Him no matter what it cost. And so, we read: "Whoever does not carry his own cross and come after Me cannot be My disciple."
The older the apostle Paul became the more he longed to know Christ in a progressively more intimate and personal way. He not only longed to know Him in the power of His resurrection but also to share with Him in His sufferings - and to be continuously transformed by His death.
May we like Paul desire with our whole being to be a living sacrifice, where we die to self and live for Christ - so that we may become true sacrificial disciples, who willingly and obediently take up our cross and follow Him.
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Wayne van Heerden, husband to Frances, father to David and Angela. Avid walker.
Serving at Gateway Kempton Park.
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This brings us to the end of the Month of Mission.
A big THANK YOU to our organising team: Brian Mazanhi, Richard Mkandawire, Matshidiso Piroe, Stewart Gordon and Wayne van Heerden. We also thank our dev-writers: Zolani Makalima, Glynis Goyns, Frikkie Botha, Jackie Barker, Shona vd Lingen, Andrew Makunda, Lilian Chirikwawo, Tatenda Garande, Sam Ruzivo, Talkmore Chilanga, Graham Fryer, Allan Paskwababiri, Fiona Benzon, Roger Tem, Amber-Leigh Gordon, Sonye Banda, Robert Chawinga, Judith Chirwa Mkandawire, Lazarus Chirwa, Masauso Nyirenda, Ziphilele Wilson Lubambo, Wayne van Heerden.
