Jesus was very serious when He called His disciples to follow Him. He did not call them for a day camp, then sent them home to do their own thing. Instead, He called them to a life of dedication, discipline, and radical faith. He shook them into the realization that they were in it to win it. He is calling you to lay down your will. To boldly lay your life down for Him, for the sake of His call, to do His will without regard for your own sake.
He spoke with incredible earnestness to His disciples, as He is to you right now, to press on to the end. To keep their eyes upon Jesus and not on what men say. He is speaking to you to follow and obey His voice. Like Paul did, to suffer much for the glory of God that you may save souls and gain eternal reward.
Brothers, I do not consider that I have made it my own. But one thing I do: forgetting what lies behind and straining forward to what lies ahead, I press on toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus. Philippians 3:13-14
He said such shocking statements that many believers would scoff at the thought at this time. But He was not joking, not in the slightest. Those who are valiant will do as He commands no matter how risky it may seem. Would you dare to walk in radical faith and take Him seriously?
Whoever finds his life will lose it, and whoever loses his life for my sake will find it. Matthew 10:38
Then Jesus told His disciples, “If anyone would come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross and follow me. Matthew 16:24
Jesus said to him, “No one who puts his hand to the plow and looks back is fit for the kingdom of God.” Luke 9:62
Do not think that I have come to bring peace to the earth. I have not come to bring peace but a sword. Matthew 10:34
When you put your faith and trust in Jesus Christ, then step out in radical faith to follow Him, there is no turning back. You have come into the service of the King of kings and Lord of lords. So do not look back and be like Lots’ wife, who was an example of what happens to those who turn back in approval of what is sinful.
You are His servant, so you must obey His every word. But He also says that you are His friend and joint heir to the Kingdom of God. Which brings with it unimaginable benefits if you are willing to follow Him with humility.
Whatever He tells you to do, you must do. Wherever He says to go you must go. No matter how ridiculous it may seem or how reckless or foolish it seems to mankind, you must do it. That is what faith is. Trusting the Lord has everything in control even though you can’t see it or understand what is happening.
Jesus is calling you to have radical faith, a life of dedication, and complete loyalty to His plan, purpose, and will. He calls you to disregard man’s ways and bow before the God of the Universe. Following His Word where ever it leads and setting aside the distractions of what you may gain in the here and now.
Do not be afraid, and do not worry about your life, for God is always with you. He protects and guards His children to keep them on His path to Heaven. He will guide you and keep you every step of the way, never leaving your side.
You are called not to please man, but to honor the Lord God. He will honor those who become fools for Christ. With this in mind do not look to what is going on around you but walk by faith knowing that His end justifies the means. God knows your future and will accomplish it if you give yourself totally to His will.
But God chose what is foolish in the world to shame the wise; God chose what is weak in the world to shame the strong; God chose what is low and despised in the world, even things that are not, to bring to nothing things that are, so that no human being might boast in the presence of God.
And because of Him, you are in Christ Jesus, who became to us wisdom from God, righteousness and sanctification and redemption, so that, as it is written, “Let the one who boasts, boast in the Lord.” 1 Corinthians 1:27-31
Determine in your heart and soul this day to pick up your cross of suffering and follow the Lord Jesus Christ no matter the cost. Obey His every command and lead. He rewards and honors those who obey Him to the end, even if you can’t see what He is doing.
Turn your feeble faith into an unshakeable faith. Shake off your old ways and the useless garments of shame, weakness, and hurt, and put on the armor of God. Put on the Spirit of the Lord and boldly charge into the fray with no regard for your own life. I firmly believe God will sustain your life until it is time to leave this earth with His protective hand.
There is no greater call than the call to radical faith in Jesus. There is no greater reward than to follow and obey the will of the Father through your faithfulness to Jesus Christ.
And Jesus came and said to them, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age.” Matthew 28:18-20
The Soul Sower 