“Then Jesus said 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). Salvation is free! It is a gift of God’s grace. Discipleship cost something.
In many churches today, the message is only about what God will give us. Jesus was not teaching a “Seeker Sensitivity” gospel. Paul understood this when he said, “I am crucified with Christ . . .” A man who is crucified is facing only one way. He is making no plans of his own. He’s not going back. In other words, Christ is asking for a full commitment.
Some who were led out of Egypt by Moses, when a little difficulty came, they were ready to return to Egypt. God dealt with these harshly. James talked about some who were double minded; that is, they could not decide which way they were going. The Scripture says, “He that puts the hand to the plough and looks back is not fit for the Kingdom of Heaven.”
This is no time to be looking back and wondering if it would be easier “back there.” Paul said, “I press toward the mark of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus.” The pressure may be turned up on the Christians today, but we are too near home to turn back now!
BLESSED ASSURANCE DAILY DEVOTIONS 