Have you properly consider the cost of following Christ?
Right after Jesus turned to the crowds and said "if you don't hate your own father and mother, wife and children, brothers and sisters-yes, and even your own life-you cannot be My disciple" and then says you must "bear their own cross and come after Him"(Luke14:26), He tells the crowds who want to follow Him to consider the commitment it will require.
Jesus provides two examples for people to calculate the cost of followership, building a house and going to war. Both the builder and the king needed to make all-or-nothing decisions before beginning their projects. Here in Egypt we see unfinished buildings scattered all over the landscape and the consistent comment everyone makes is how poorly this reflects upon Egypt. For those who have seen these unfinished homes, hotels, and buildings, they know first hand the sadness it brings to their hearts. Even in America, especially during 2007-2009 there were many homes that were under construction but were never finished. Homebuilders went out of business or individuals who began homes were unable to complete the homes for a variety of reasons. Everyone has seen an unfinished home, the weeds are overgrown, there is perhaps graffiti, broken windows, and that dark, gray appearance slowly becomes visible on the exterior of the home. There was undoubtedly great expectations when the plans were being drawn up and when the foundation was poured, but went the project was abandoned "the onlookers began to make fun of him, saying. This man started to build and wasn't able to finish" (Luke 14:29).
Jesus was telling the crowds that He didn't want a half-hearted commitment and some decision that didn't consider the cost of following Him. But He wants only those who will not shy away from hardships and suffering, and will ultimately stand firm in their commitment to Him to the end.
If you have never fully committed to Christ or considered the worldly cost of followership, then kneel before the King of Kings, genuinely repent of your sins, and surrender to Him. Don't end up like an unfinished Egyptian building or an abandoned American home under construction "where people will make fun of you."
Jesus loves you and will strengthen you no matter what this fallen world places in your life.
Right after Jesus turned to the crowds and said "if you don't hate your own father and mother, wife and children, brothers and sisters-yes, and even your own life-you cannot be My disciple" and then says you must "bear their own cross and come after Him"(Luke14:26), He tells the crowds who want to follow Him to consider the commitment it will require.
Jesus provides two examples for people to calculate the cost of followership, building a house and going to war. Both the builder and the king needed to make all-or-nothing decisions before beginning their projects. Here in Egypt we see unfinished buildings scattered all over the landscape and the consistent comment everyone makes is how poorly this reflects upon Egypt. For those who have seen these unfinished homes, hotels, and buildings, they know first hand the sadness it brings to their hearts. Even in America, especially during 2007-2009 there were many homes that were under construction but were never finished. Homebuilders went out of business or individuals who began homes were unable to complete the homes for a variety of reasons. Everyone has seen an unfinished home, the weeds are overgrown, there is perhaps graffiti, broken windows, and that dark, gray appearance slowly becomes visible on the exterior of the home. There was undoubtedly great expectations when the plans were being drawn up and when the foundation was poured, but went the project was abandoned "the onlookers began to make fun of him, saying. This man started to build and wasn't able to finish" (Luke 14:29).
Jesus was telling the crowds that He didn't want a half-hearted commitment and some decision that didn't consider the cost of following Him. But He wants only those who will not shy away from hardships and suffering, and will ultimately stand firm in their commitment to Him to the end.
If you have never fully committed to Christ or considered the worldly cost of followership, then kneel before the King of Kings, genuinely repent of your sins, and surrender to Him. Don't end up like an unfinished Egyptian building or an abandoned American home under construction "where people will make fun of you."
Jesus loves you and will strengthen you no matter what this fallen world places in your life.
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