Tags
God is God, Jesus, Jesus Sayings, Leadership, Mark 8, Sacrifice
Jesus is clear about what it takes to follow him (i.e. be a Christian). There is no ambiguity here at all. I have to do it.
I have to change my mind (aka repent) about who is in charge. Jesus is in charge. A follower of Jesus commits to letting Jesus lead. God is God. I am not. This is the “main thing about the main thing”. Everything starts here.
So where is Jesus going to lead me? Jesus leads me to the cross. Suffering is ahead of me. I have to sacrifice what I think God would do to let Jesus be in control. This is not easy stuff for me. I don’t want to suffer. I really don’t.
Anyone who intends to come with me has to let me lead.” ~Jesus
Source: Mark 8:34-37 (The Message)
Jesus on Leadership
Jesus Quotes and God Thoughts 
Forfeiting is not popular in recruiting Christians. Instead there seems to be a focus on bonuses in being a Christian when we are promised suffering, service, death and oh yes, somehow this burden is supposed to be light. I know we are speaking of religious rules here in reference to the burden but it is no touted as such. Then we have the prosperity guys and a host of others. You post puts it in proper perspective.
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Thanks. The account of the rich young ruler should be enough to know that Jesus expects us to give up everything.
Be blessed.
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Forfeiting is an interesting choice of words. We don’t particularly like giving up anything, but successful people do it all the time. Successful people figure out what they want, and then they give up or suffer the lost of anything that keeps them from achieving their objective.
When we recruit new Christians, we can use this passage to help them understand this sort of forfeiture is not exactly something that they have not done before.
Jesus offers us salvation, eternity with our Maker in Heaven. To achieve this objective, we have to put God first in our lives. Putting God first means following Jesus and obeying His commands. Because the world rejects Jesus, we will suffer the lost of what the world offers. Yet, we will discover the Kingdom of God is within us. We will discover the fruits of the Holy Spirit.
What about the account of the rich young ruler? Jesus offered him a choice. Jesus knew that young ruler’s heart. It seems he idolized his money. So Jesus told him to get rid of it.
So it is for each of us. We must discover our idols, set them aside, and put our Lord first.
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This is exactly the way it is. Nothing short of it.
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Tom, well said.
The disciples were amazed at what Jesus said about this. Jesus did summarize the importance of the story of the rich young ruler for the disciples. I think it could be a clear alert for many of us in America. I could be wrong though.
“How hard it will be for those who are wealthy to enter the kingdom of God!” The disciples were amazed at His words. But Jesus answered again and said to them, “Children, how hard it is to enter the kingdom of God! It is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for a rich man to enter the kingdom of God.” They were even more astonished and said to Him, “Then who can be saved?” Looking at them, Jesus *said, “With people it is impossible, but not with God; for all things are possible with God.”
Be blessed!
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Very true. We do not hear that part of the salvation plan often. This day of grace is much appreciated, but accepting and living in that grace requires repentance and following Jesus. 😀
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