Totally for Jesus

"If anyone comes to me and does not hate his father and mother, his wife and children, his brothers and sisters - yes, even his own life - he cannot be my disciple. And anyone who does not carry his cross and follow me cannot be my disciple." Luke 14:26-27

Jesus never hid from us the cost of being His follower. In fact with statements like these it was quite the opposite. We are to take seriously our commitment to Him and decide what we are willing to give. Jesus expects our total selves. It is not today I will follow Him and tomorrow I will do what I want. It is not keeping possessions that Jesus would not have in His house. Sometimes it is not necessarily acts of obedience like this but it is allowing Jesus to have the control and loving Him before all else.

I have often read stories about revolutionists. Their whole lives are surrendered to their cause. Even in danger they sacrifice to further their cause. In the Daily Bread this morning there was a quote by Nechayev. He was a 19th century disciple of Karl Marx and had a role in the assassination of Czar Alexander. He said, "The revolutionary man...has no personal interests, no business affairs, no emotions, no attachments, no property, and no name. Everything in him is wholly absorbed in the single thought and the single passion for revolution." This really put it in perspective for me! The revolution I live is in Christ. All my thoughts and passions are for Him. (At least I am working towards that! ) I have no personal interests, no business affairs, no emotions, no attachements, no property, and no name. I release these things to God and they are all for Him and about Him.

It is a sacrifice worth making. The fullness of living for God and loving Him above all is rewarding! Jesus also speaks of the reward. "I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full." John 10:10. I only have this fullness when I become a revolutionist for Him!