Luke 14:26-30 & 33: Consider the Cost

 Luke 14:26-30 & 33: Consider the Cost

Luke 14:28 says, "For which of you, intending to build a tower, sitteth not down first, and counteth the cost..."

This portion of scripture made sense to me for the first time 9 years ago.  Jesus is saying that we must be prepared to lose it all if we want to follow Him.  You must consider what following Jesus (building a spiritual tower) may cost you.  It is a very real possibility that friends and relatives will desert you when you choose Jesus and a moral lifestyle.  Especially if your new beliefs go against their own or if you are now giving up hanging out with them at the bars, watching movies with them, etc.  The world is more than happy to make fun of you and call you judgmental when you choose to follow the ways of the Bible rather than the ungodly ways of the world.  

Verse 30 says the one who does not finish his tower will be "mocked" by others.  So yes, my dear readers, when you call yourself a Christian, you will be watched very closely.  If you backslide and decide you would rather be accepted by the world and therefore go back to your ungodly ways, you will indeed be mocked as being spiritually weak.    

When you go back to Verse 26, it does not literally mean we have to hate our family in order to follow Jesus, especially since the message of Jesus was to love one another.  We are to hate the sin and be willing to lose them if Jesus asks it of us.  To choose our relationship with Jesus over a relationship with those who oppose Him.  

We should be willing to follow the rules of to not be "unequally yoked together with unbelievers: for what fellowship hath righteousness with unrighteousness?"  We are to "come out from among them, and be ye separate" so that we can be called God's "sons and daughters" (see 2 Corinthians 6:14-7:1). 

Should an issue arise where I had to choose between any person or Jesus, I must know before it happens who I would choose and count the cost before I claim to be a disciple, or I cannot give Jesus 100% of my heart.  I must love Jesus above all and be willing to lose friends and family for the sake of the gospel.  I must take a stand for the King of Kings.

Please do not get me wrong, I am not suggesting we shun people who are different.  We still need to love and pray for those who are against our beliefs and witness as we can.  However, the Bible gives us permission to walk away from relationships with people who are overly cruel or antagonistic of our beliefs.  It also says in Luke 9:5 "And whosoever will not receive you, when ye go out of that city, shake off the very dust from your feet."  In other words, when others openly mock your Biblical stand, it is acceptable to walk away from a close relationship with them.  But again, pray for them and if they need help, be there for them and if they are every ready to receive the gospel, be quickly ready to share it again. 

No, I do not "hate" anyone, but I love Jesus, and I am willing to choose Christ above all others. If the world forsakes me, I will cling to Jesus, as He is all I need.

(Luke 14:26-33) [Jesus said,] "If any man come to me, and hate not his father, and mother, and wife, and children, and brethren, and sisters, yea, and his own life also, he cannot be my disciple. And whosoever doth not bear his cross, and come after me, cannot be my disciple."

"For which of you, intending to build a tower, sitteth not down first, and counteth the cost, whether he have sufficient to finish it? Lest haply, after he hath laid the foundation, and is not able to finish it, all that behold it begin to mock him, Saying, 'This man began to build, and was not able to finish.'"

"So likewise, whosoever he be of you that forsaketh not all that he hath, he cannot be my disciple."

Luke 13:23-28

 (Luke 13:23-28) And [Jesus] went through the cities and villages, teaching, and journeying toward Jerusalem.

Then said one unto Him, "Lord, are there few that be saved? 

And He said unto them, "Strive to enter in at the strait gate: for many, I say unto you, will seek to enter in, and shall not be able."

"When once the master of the house is risen up, and hath shut to the door, and ye begin to stand without, and to knock at the door, saying, 'Lord, Lord, open unto us;' and He shall answer and say unto you, 'I know you not whence ye are:'"

"Then shall ye begin to say, 'We have eaten and drunk in thy presence, and thou hast taught in our streets.'"

"But He shall say,' I tell you, I know you not whence ye are; depart from me, all ye workers of iniquity.'"

"There shall be weeping and gnashing of teeth, when ye shall see Abraham, and Isaac, and Jacob, and all the prophets, in the kingdom of God, and you yourselves thrust out."

Luke 12:42-48: Responsibility

Luke 12:42-48: Responsibility

Luke 12:48 says that "whomsoever much is given, of him shall be much required."

The parable where this verse is located can be located in Luke 12:41-48.  It has to do with being prepared for the Lord's return and working for Him until He comes.  You can also interpret it as using God's gifts in a responsible way and learning to be a "faithful and wise steward" (verse 42).  The better you handle the responsibility, the more God may bless you.  Yet, if you waste the talents or misuse them, you may be punished.

Those that are given a lot of responsibility such as with a leadership position, much will be expected of them.  You will be held to a higher standard if you want to be the one in charge.  If you want to be the one giving the orders and, in some cases, even responsible for physical or spiritual lives, you cannot be a hypocrite and you need to practice what you preach.   In other words, you must lead with a moral example.  You will be accountable to God if you are dictatorial, stingy, unfair, or cruel, be it in the workplace, home, and especially in a spiritual or political position. 

If you are given much money, you are expected to be generous as well as frugal and responsible.  God does not fault us having nice things, but He is very displeased with those who spend their money on items of vanity and excessive unnecessary items rather than help the poor and needy.  How many hurting people could you support through a charity with the expensive jewelry, makeup/hair products, clothing, luxury items, electronics, etc., you waste money on each month? 

Another way to look at this verse is in the area of talent. The parable states that the Lord wants to "find" us using our talents for His glory when He comes.  If God has granted you with talent, no matter how big or small, you should use it for His glory and not to promote the world or yourself.  Be responsible by not using your gifts to glorify immoral behaviors you know go against the Bible.  In other words, if you have a talent for artwork, paint pictures glorifying the Lord and His creation, not sexualized, violent, or occult images.  If you can write, write stories or poems that show God at the center, not smut, murder mysteries that glorify death and violence, or stories about witchcraft.  If you have musical ability, use it to praise the Lord.  It is a huge pet peeve of mine when "Christian" artists sing cross-over music that promotes sex outside if marriage, drinking, have swear words in them, or have no message at all.  If God is gracious enough to bless you with an ability, why give that gift to the world and not back to the One who gave it to you? No matter how small you may think your talent is, don't refuse to share it with others and be willing to lift the name of Jesus high!

If God trusts you enough to bless you as a leader, with finances, and/or with talent, honor Him by treating your responsibility with wisdom, morality, and integrity.

(Luke 12:42-48) And the Lord said, "Who then is that faithful and wise steward, whom his lord shall make ruler over his household, to give them their portion of meat in due season? Blessed is that servant, whom his lord when he cometh shall find so doing. Of a truth I say unto you, that he will make him ruler over all that he hath."

"But and if that servant say in his heart,' My lord delayeth his coming'; and shall begin to beat the menservants and maidens, and to eat and drink, and to be drunken; The lord of that servant will come in a day when he looketh not for him, and at an hour when he is not aware, and will cut him in sunder, and will appoint him his portion with the unbelievers. And that servant, which knew his lord's will, and prepared not himself, neither did according to his will, shall be beaten with many stripes."

"But he that knew not, and did commit things worthy of stripes, shall be beaten with few stripes. For unto whomsoever much is given, of him shall be much required: and to whom men have committed much, of him they will ask the more."

Luke 12:37 & 40

 (Luke 12:37 & 40) [Jesus said,] "Blessed are those servants, whom the lord when He cometh shall find watching: verily I say unto you, that he shall gird himself, and make them to sit down to meat, and will come forth and serve them. And if He shall come in the second watch, or come in the third watch, and find them so, blessed are those servants.

"Be ye therefore ready also: for the Son of man cometh at an hour when ye think not."

Luke 12:1-3

(Luke 12:1-3) In the mean time, when there were gathered together an innumerable multitude of people, insomuch that they trode one upon another, [Jesus] began to say unto his disciples "First of all, Beware ye of the leaven of the Pharisees, which is hypocrisy. For there is nothing covered, that shall not be revealed; neither hid, that shall not be known."

"Therefore whatsoever ye have spoken in darkness shall be heard in the light; and that which ye have spoken in the ear in closets [such as malicious gossip] shall be proclaimed upon the housetops."

Luke 11:39-40

 

(Luke 11:34-40) [Jesus said,] "The light of the body is the eye: therefore when thine eye is single, thy whole body also is full of light; but when thine eye is evil, thy body also is full of darkness. Take heed therefore that the light which is in thee be not darkness. If thy whole body therefore be full of light, having no part dark, the whole shall be full of light, as when the bright shining of a candle doth give thee light."

And as He spake, a certain Pharisee besought Him to dine with him: and He went in, and sat down to meat. And when the Pharisee saw it, he marvelled that He had not first washed before dinner.

And the Lord said unto him, "Now do ye Pharisees make clean the outside of the cup and the platter; but your inward part is full of ravening and wickedness. Ye fools, did not he that made that which is without make that which is within also?"

Sitting at the Feet of Jesus

 Sitting at the Feet of Jesus

That is a photo of me around 1980 when my family was on a road trip from Michigan to Washington state.  It was taken in Wisconsin.  May I always feel such awe at the face of Jesus!

I usually wait until the end of the book of the Bible before I post a song to represent that book, but I heard this song a few days ago and fell in love with it and just had to share it as it beautifully represents Luke 10:38-42.

You Tube version: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lElSWBjyLWA

Sitting at the Feet of Jesus

By Ernie Haase and Gaither Vocal Band

Sitting at the feet of Jesus
Oh, what words I hear Him say!
Happy place, so near, so precious!
May it find me there each day
Sitting at the feet of Jesus
I would look upon the past
For His love has been so gracious
It has won my heart at last

Sitting at the feet of Jesus
Where can mortals be more bless
There I lay my sins and sorrows
And when weary find sweet rest
Sitting at the feet of Jesus
There I love to weep and pray
While I from His fullness gather
Grace and comfort every day

Bless me, O my Savior, bless me
As I sit low at Thy feet
Oh, look down in love upon me
Let me see Thy face so sweet
Give me, Lord, the mind of Jesus
Make me holy as He is
May I prove I've been with Jesus
Who is all my righteousness
He is all my righteousness
He is all my righteousness

Luke 10:38-42

(Luke 10:38-42) Now it came to pass, as they went, that [Jesus] entered into a certain village: and a certain woman named Martha received him into her house. And she had a sister called Mary, which also sat at Jesus' feet, and heard his word.

But Martha was cumbered about much serving, and came to Him, and said, "Lord, dost thou not care that my sister hath left me to serve alone? bid her therefore that she help me."

And Jesus answered and said unto her, "Martha, Martha, thou art careful and troubled about many things: But one thing is needful: and Mary hath chosen that good part, which shall not be taken away from her."

Luke 10:2

 

(Luke 10:2) Therefore said he unto them, The harvest truly is great, but the labourers are few: pray ye therefore the Lord of the harvest, that he would send forth labourers into his harvest.

(P.S. I apologize for the quality of some of these photos, such as this one.  The woman represents me saying, "Use me Lord for your glory!"  I must have taken them 6 or 7 times and some of them still turned out blurry no matter what I tried.  Hopefully you still see the artwork well enough for it to convey the message that inspired me.)

Luke 9:23: A Daily Decision

Luke 9:23: A Daily Decision

Your story as a Christian began before you were born.  John 3:16 tells us, "For God so loved the world, that He gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life." "The world" means every person who has or will ever live on this Earth.  Therefore, Jesus died for your sins before you were born.  Salvation is a free gift you do not have to earn.  This is the beginning for all of us.  However, from there it is up to you to decide what will happen next.

To be clear, I do not believe we are saved by our works, again, God's salvation is a free gift we could never earn. However, we must show the utmost respect for this gift and as it states in Romans 6:1-2, "What shall we say then? Shall we continue in sin, that grace may abound? God forbid. How shall we, that are dead to sin, live any longer therein?" In other words, we are not to abuse the grace of God and use it as an excuse to sin.

We need to continue to grow in our walk with the Lord and make a daily decision to give up our sinful habits. Jesus said in Luke 9:23 "If any man will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross daily, and follow me."   Daily means daily, not just denying your sinful nature when you feel like it or are asking God for a favor.  This also means choosing to follow Jesus and His ways of righteousness. It requires daily self-examination and repentance.  For Jesus also said in John 14:15, "If ye love me, keep my commandments." And 1 John 2:4 makes it abundantly clear, "He that saith, I know him, and keepeth not his commandments, is a liar, and the truth is not in him."  

For the full article on this subject, feel free to read my writing titled: "

The Beginning, Middle, and End" https://thankful-julie.blogspot.com/2024/04/the-beginning-middle-and-end.html