When someone makes the decision to join a group such as the army, for example, they must do so knowing what it is that they are getting themselves into. Because while a job such as a gas station attendant or supermarket clerk a person may get to go home at the end of their shift and get to relax in the comfort of their own home, someone who joins the army does not get to enjoy that same kind of lifestyle. At the end of their day a soldier does not go and work on their favorite hobby, or sit in a lawn chair in their backyard and enjoy a peaceful, relaxing evening surrounded by the company of their friends and family. Those types of liberties they have chosen to give up, and instead dedicate their time and energy to serving their country in the army. Before they made that decision they could have done pretty much whatever they decided, but when they serve their country they give up all of that liberty, and it truly is their decision to do so.
The decision to follow Jesus really is much the same, because to serve Jesus is to entirely abide in His teachings and to serve Him completely, whatever that entails. Whatever it is that Jesus commands to be followed must be followed precisely as He says without deviation or omission. A Christian is His soldier, and those soldiers must know what it is that the Christian life entails when they make that decision to follow Him. They must be able to give up personal pleasures and freedoms that they may otherwise have been able to do, but in order to be pleasing to the Lord a Christian soldier must be able to give up the control of their life over to Jesus.
The disciples certainly were willing to do this, as we can read in Luke 5:1-11.
And it came to pass, that, as the people pressed upon him to hear the word of God, he stood by the lake of Gennesaret,
And saw two ships standing by the lake: but the fishermen were gone out of them, and were washing their nets.
And he entered into one of the ships, which was Simon’s, and prayed him that he would thrust out a little from the land. And he sat down, and taught the people out of the ship.
Now when he had left speaking, he said unto Simon, Launch out into the deep, and let down your nets for a draught.
And Simon answering said unto him, Master, we have toiled all the night, and have taken nothing: nevertheless at thy word I will let down the net.
And when they had this done, they inclosed a great multitude of fishes: and their net brake.
And they beckoned unto their partners, which were in the other ship, that they should come and help them. And they came, and filled both the ships, so that they began to sink.
When Simon Peter saw it, he fell down at Jesus’ knees, saying, Depart from me; for I am a sinful man, O Lord.
For he was astonished, and all that were with him, at the draught of the fishes which they had taken:
And so was also James, and John, the sons of Zebedee, which were partners with Simon. And Jesus said unto Simon, Fear not; from henceforth thou shalt catch men.
And when they had brought their ships to land, they forsook all, and followed him.
Here in this passage the disciples had made the decision to give up everything that they had to go and follow Jesus. Their job, their boat, their source of income… they forsook all and followed Jesus. They did this because they believed and had faith in Christ, and they wanted that eternal life. Even their own family they left behind, to follow Jesus. That is true commitment, isn’t it? They wanted the things of Christ so much that even their family became of less importance than following Jesus.
True faith in the teachings of Christ will cause this type of action in a person, faith that will not let anything else stand in it’s way to keep oneself from serving the Lord.
Luke 14:26-33 If any man come to me, and hate not his father, and mother, and wife, and children, and brethren, and sisters, yea, and his own life also, he cannot be my disciple.
And whosoever doth not bear his cross, and come after me, cannot be my disciple.
For which of you, intending to build a tower, sitteth not down first, and counteth the cost, whether he have sufficient to finish it?
Lest haply, after he hath laid the foundation, and is not able to finish it, all that behold it begin to mock him,
Saying, This man began to build, and was not able to finish.
Or what king, going to make war against another king, sitteth not down first, and consulteth whether he be able with ten thousand to meet him that cometh against him with twenty thousand?
Or else, while the other is yet a great way off, he sendeth an ambassage, and desireth conditions of peace.
So likewise, whosoever he be of you that forsaketh not all that he hath, he cannot be my disciple.
Not everyone can do this. Not everyone can become a soldier in the army and give their entire freedom to serve, and not everyone can give up and turn away from the things that impede their faith. The cares of the world, the pleasures of sin, the love of their family being greater than that of the Lord, all of these things must be pushed aside when someone enlists in the army of the Lord.
How much is the kingdom of God worth to you? Would you be able to give up everything if it meant that you could have eternal life? This is the question that must be asked, and eventually answered. For some, they are not concerned with the things which they can’t see, so they place their love on the world and its possessions. Their love of the world and everything in it is too great, and they just cannot become one of the Lord’s soldiers. But for those who do make this life-changing decision, the greatest reward available will await them someday.
Luke 18:28-30 Then Peter said, Lo, we have left all, and followed thee.
And he said unto them, Verily I say unto you, There is no man that hath left house, or parents, or brethren, or wife, or children, for the kingdom of God’s sake,
Who shall not receive manifold more in this present time, and in the world to come life everlasting.
The disciples of the Lord made that choice. They counted the cost, and forsook everything to follow Jesus. Can you?
In Christ
Andrew
Teufer Lake King James Bible Church 