DCLM Higher Everyday 18 May 2023 — The Cost Of Following Jesus
DCLM Higher Everyday 18 May 2023 Devotional by Pastor W. F. Kumuyi — The Cost Of Following Jesus
Topic: The Cost Of Following Jesus
Text : Matthew 16: 24-27
25For whosoever will save his life shall lose it: and whosoever will lose his life for my sake shall find it.
26For what is a man profited, if he shall gain the whole world, and lose his own soul? or what shall a man give in exchange for his soul?
27For the Son of man shall come in the glory of his Father with his angels; and then he shall reward every man according to his works.
Key Verse: “Then said Jesus unto his disciples, If any man will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow me” (Matthew 16:24).
Message
Someone asked George Muller the secret of his service. In response he said: “There was a day when I died, utterly died;” and, as he spoke, he bent lower and lower until he almost touched the floor; “died to George Muller, his opinions, preferences, tastes, and will; died to the world, its approval or censure; died to the approval or blame even of my brethren and friends; and since then I have studied only to show myself approved unto God.”
Salvation is free but discipleship is very costly. A genuine disciple must be ready to forsake everything and wholly follow the Lord with no string attached to it. True disciples are dead to personal and people’s opinion but concerned with the Master’s will. Discipleship entails abandonment of our lives in God’s hand without reservation – no entanglement, no looking back. Every bridge connecting a disciple with the world must be burnt completely to be free to follow the Lord wholeheartedly. Remember this, “Then answered Peter and said unto him, Behold, we have forsaken all, and followed thee…” (Matthew 19:27). Are you a true disciple?
Quote: Be ready to forsake everything
Challenge: No turning back.
Prayer for today: Help me Lord to follow you till the end.
1. Admit that you are a sinner. "For all [humans] have sinned, and comes short of the glory of God....[and] the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord" (Romans 3:23)
2. Repent now. "Repent ye therefore, and be converted, that your sins may be blotted out ...[for] if we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness " (Acts 3:19, 1 John 1:9)
3. Believe that God loves you and Jesus died for you. "God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet Sinners, Christ died for us" (Romans 5:8)
4. Invite Jesus into your life through prayer of faith. Jesus says, "Behold, I stand at the door, and knock: if any man hear my voice, and open the door, I will come in to him, and will sup with him, and he with me" (Revelation 3:20)
