IT WILL COST YOU
Have you ever heard someone say that it takes money to make money? Making money requires investing money. To invest, a person needs to give up the money they would have spent on pleasures and comfort to use it as a seed for a future harvest. This is how it is with the kingdom of God! A life outside of the grace found in Christ is a life focused on self — selfish ambition, self-preservation, and self-righteousness. The only way to be a disciple of Christ is to choose to relinquish every form of trusting in self to replace it with trusting God for everything. Consider these powerful words of Jesus.
“If you want to be my disciple, you must, by comparison, hate everyone else—your father and mother, wife and children, brothers and sisters—yes, even your own life. Otherwise, you cannot be my disciple. And if you do not carry your own cross and follow me, you cannot be my disciple. “But don’t begin until you count the cost. For who would begin construction of a building without first calculating the cost to see if there is enough money to finish it.
So you cannot become my disciple without giving up everything you own. “Salt is good for seasoning. But if it loses its flavor, how do you make it salty again? Flavorless salt is good neither for the soil nor for the manure pile. It is thrown away. Anyone with ears to hear should listen and understand!” Luke 14:26-28, 33-35 NLT
Even a little bit of trusting in self will keep one from the glory and power of God! Anyone who puts their trust in their ability or righteousness forfeits abundant life Jesus died to give them! Trusting in self and self-righteousness equals worry, anxiety and fear. Trusting in God releases joy, life and peace! What a beautiful, heavenly life is available for those who will rest in God’s ability and his provision of righteousness through Christ.
I’m sure you have heard me or someone else say, “Less of me and more of him.“ But the secret to life is when there is none of me and only him! In this life of trusting God, the glorious power of God is made available and the kingdom of God forcefully advances!
Today is your day to live inside of the purpose and glory of God! Anytime you find yourself living in worry or fear, know that you have reverted into the life of self. Take that moment to renew your mind with the truth of the grace of God and step back into who you really are! Make no mistake about it; to be a disciple of Christ you will have to relinquish all trust in self! Yes, that is how someone accesses the abundant life God has offered us through Jesus Christ! So, what will it cost you? I pray that this Encouraging Note will inspire you to gladly pay the price…
IT WILL COST YOU
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