Who are My true Disciples? Luke 14:25-35

You all like what I do and sometimes what I say. You all want the healing I provide and the freedom I promise. You all want to hear about another side of this world, a place where none of your troubles will exist! A place where your greatest dreams will be made real. You all like that Idea because you were created to know that there is a deeper meaning to your life than just come, survive for a period of time, make the best of it and drink and be merry.

You all can’t ignore that you are born, live for a while (not up to your time but Mine) and die. You hear of rumors of another world. You hear of rumors where souls go after here but you are not sure. You are sure that you are born, live and die. You can’t deny that. Some of you say you believe and want to follow Me and some of you say you are My disciples.

Many of you say I am your Master. Have you considered what it takes to be My disciple? I am going to give you a couple of tests and I want you to self evaluate. I will give you a vision and a taste test. Following Me is willing to go through what I went through. My cross was not just made out of wood but the hardship I went through during My time on earth. Yours is as well. If it had been easier, don’t you think I would have chosen that route?

Me, God the Son, had to go to the gates of death to rescue you. You have to be willing to lay your earthly life to carry My message so that others can be rescue from the doom that awaits those who do not accept my gift of Salvation and the price I already paid for their sins. I desire for all to be with Me in eternity. I don’t desire for any one to perish (2nd Peter 3:9)

Luke 14:25-27 Now large crowds were going along with Him; and He turned and said to them, If anyone comes to Me, and does not hate his own father and mother and wife and children and brothers and sisters, yes even his own life, he cannot be my disciple. Whoever does not carry his own cross and come after Me cannot be My disciple.

The first test is your vision. Is your vision of the eternal life to come? Does it include your family, your mother, father, children, spouse, brothers and sisters, your own life? how you think your life suits you? If you love them and yourself, you must be willing to let go of them and yourself. To let go of your idea of your own life. This will be seen as hatred toward them but it is not. It is in your walk and perseverance in following Me that you may be able to help them come to Me and rescue their souls if they choose to do so.

You must understand that some of them might hate you over your choice to follow Me. They might not want to listen to you. You must let go of them and follow Me. I need to be your focus and your guide. I need you to keep your eyes on Me and be willing to let go of your earthly ideas of relationships. Remember they are also my creation and I love them. This is why I want you to listen to Me. If you are not willing to do this then you are really not my disciple.

You must consider the cost just as someone who is planning to build a tower and sits down first to calculate the cost to see if he has enough to complete it. Others are watching and will make fun of him if he is not able to finish it. For he has a vision for it. He knows that such tower will help his people be aware of possible dangers and provide protection but he must make up his mind and give it all to complete it or else he won’t be able to help them. Might as well live and let his people live at the mercy of the surrounding predators.

If a King is setting out to meet another king in battle. He has to consider if his smaller troops are able to conquer his opponent’s larger troops or else give up and ask for terms of peace. If not willing to train and fight,  If not willing to give up his life for his freedom and that of those he rules over, he must surrender and live under the conditions of his opponent. Live a life of slavery.

I am telling you it is not going to be an easy road. It was not easy for Me but you must make up your mind. The life I promise is worth giving it all! Matthew 13:45-46⁵ “Again, the kingdom of heaven is like a merchant seeking fine pearls, and upon finding one pearl of great value, he went and sold all that he had and bought it”

The second test is about taste. Most of you enjoy food with salt. Salt gives taste to food and it is also a preservative. If salt looses it’s saltiness, it is good for nothing and as nothing, it is thrown out. Do you hear Me? If not, seek My wisdom so you would know what this means.

How is your flavor? I have told you before that My disciples are the salt of the earth! Matthew 5:13. As you bring the Gospel, you are giving life through Me! You are changing lives through Me! and  you are bringing My hope! Are you salty or are you tasteless? Are you really My disciple?

Luke 14:33 ” So then, none of you can be My disciple who does not give up all his own possessions.” I don’t mean, you sell all your stuff. I mean for you to use all you have to give it all for the purpose that I command you. When your heart is fully committed to Me, you will use your given resources for God’s kingdom as you seek Me and make Me your Master and as I appoint yo to do so. Your possessions and earthly treasures will no longer be your Master but I will.