Being a disciple of Christ comes with its demands. Jesus wants us (and anyone coming to Him) to know what these demands are before they decide to be His disciple or not. We have earlier seen that He expects us to forsake and renounce everything if we truly intend to make Him our Lord (or follow Him).
Other than forsaking and renouncing everything, He also demands that our reason for coming to Him must never be what we 'think/feel' we would get from Him.
2. No Personal Benefits Sought
Once Jesus was travelling with His disciples, when someone declared their intent to be His disciple. He was eager to follow Jesus wherever He went. However, Jesus knew why He wanted to follow Him, and as He did to the rich young man that came to Him, He gave this individual an answer that revealed the state of His heart. He was volunteering himself because of what he thought he could get and he could not be a disciple of Christ until he took care of that 'obstacle'.
Luke 9: 57 & 58 ERV
They were all traveling along the road. Someone said to Jesus, “I will follow you anywhere you go.” He answered, “The foxes have holes to live in. The birds have nests. But the Son of Man has no place where he can rest his head.”
If we come (or came) to Christ for selfish reasons, then we are coming (or came) to Him with the wrong motives. Like the individual in our passage of focus, we must purge ourselves of such desires if we are to be true disciples of Christ and enjoy all He offers.
Yes, prosperity is one of the things Christ offers us but if that's solely the reason we are coming to Him, then we are missing the point. If divine health is the reason we are coming to Christ, then we are 'attempting' to surrender our life to Christ for the wrong reason.
It is necessary we meet this demand of discipleship because when people come unprepared to Christ, they go through the glorious experience of salvation and yet they don't reflect any beauty thereof. Such people are the ones that become carnal Christians. They are ever learning, yet never growing to the fullness of the stature of Christ. Their selfishness has put a roadblock on their path to perfection and is holding them down from reaching the heights the Father destined for them.
Proverbs 25: 4 AMP
Take away the dross from the silver,And there comes out [the pure metal for] a vessel for the silversmith [to shape].
It is everyone's desire to experience good and live a comfortable life on the earth. it is also the Father's will for His children. Nevertheless, the way to increase in the body of Christ is not seeking increase or making 'prosperity' your focus. The way to blessing is not seeking blessing. The path to experiencing the best the Father has in store for us is to focus on the Master.
Matthew 6: 33 AMP
But first and most importantly seek (aim at, strive after) His kingdom and His righteousness [His way of doing and being right—the attitude and character of God], and all these things will be given to you also.
Jesus expects us to not only renounce and forsake all things but to come to Him without being motivated by selfish desires/reasons.
Are you already doing that?
This post is an extract from the teaching "The Solid Foundation"
Get the complete teaching for free on our online store
Questions? Comments?
Did not understand any part of this post or need more clarifications on the revealed truths?
We would be more than glad to answer your questions!!
Posting Rules
1. This platform is no place for doctrinal debates; all posts must be with the mindset to learn and not to argue
2. Where we feel your question may not be effectively and/ or adequately answered vai this medium, we shall give you a call or send you relevant materials via mail