"I am poor and weak. Satan is too subtle, too cunning, too powerful; he watches constantly for advantages over my soul. The world presses in upon me with all sorts of pressures, pleas, and pretences. My own corruption is violent, tumultuous, enticing, and entangling. As it conceives sin, it wars within me and against me. Occasions and opportunities for temptation are innumerable. No wonder I do not know how deeply involved I have been with sin. Therefore, on God alone will I rely for my keeping. I will continually look to Him.”
-John Owen
For I said in myself, "I am afraid that I shall be lost but I will know the reason why. I am afraid I never shall find Christ but it shall not be for want of looking for him." That fear used to haunt me, but I said, "I will find him if he is to be found. I will read. I will think." There was never a soul that did sincerely seek for Jesus in the word but by-and-by he stumbled on the precious truth that Christ was near at hand and did not want any looking for; that he was really there, only they, poor blind creatures, were in such a maze that they could not just then see him. Oh, cling you to Scripture. Scripture is not Christ, but it is the silken clue which will lead you to him. Follow its leadings faithfully.
-C.H. Spurgeon
S: So therefore, any one of you who does not renounce all that he has cannot be my disciple.
Luke 14:33
O: This is not something where someone needs to dig to actually understand. But rather, this is an incredibly difficult truth to accept and process. Jesus spoke of how his true disciples renounce everything in their lives-from their families to their wealth...Christ is above it all. He is rightfully implying that the work for the kingdom-to follow him and to be like him requires that we have no reserve nor attachment for the people or things around us. Christ is saying that those who follow him will give up everything they have.
Christ lists out how we must partake in his suffering (carry our cross daily), go the extremes of even leaving our families, and the rest pretty much follows. A person who desires to follow Christ must not only give up his possessions, but what is most precious to them. Because, quite honestly-I have met very few who would be willing to forsake all for the cause of the kingdom. In fact, I have met few that are willing to give up a portion of their time each day for Christ. I am that very person. Christ calls his disciples renounce all that they have and yet...we, as the church are not fitting the prerequisite to Christ's discipleship at all.
How many days did I fail to give my best time and portion to the Lord? How many times did my material possessions or worldly pleasures take over my heart? Everyday I see that I have but renounced NOTHING for the Lord Jesus. Even now, when I am trying to offer up more time and more things, I understand that there is no worth to them. It really is black and white-all or nothing. Everything for Christ or nothing at all for Christ.
A: Terrifying, to think that there is no gray area. Many Christians are deluded, then-I conclude. It's plain to see if someone has renounced all that they have for Christ. I do think that I want to be that person. I have hope in that it does not repel me to the core to give up certain things now for the kingdom. I can only hope and pray that it is his will that when the time comes, all things will be given up to him joyfully. My comfort and ease, love of the world, and so forth. I will try my hardest to make good use of my time-seeking the Lord and doing his will.
P. I pray that I may renounce all things for the sake of you, Lord Jesus-that it may stem from a true love, a knowing love. One that comes from knowing you tangibly. That time probably is not now, but I pray that it may be eventually-soon, and forever. In Christ, amen.
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