"Simply put, if you're not willing to take what is dearest to you, whether plans or people, and kiss it good-bye, you can't be my disciple.” (Luke 14:33 MSG)
Do you believe that exercise is beneficial? Most people do. Every year, millions of people get gym memberships with the best of intentions. They even show up and try a few exercises. However, when the training gets difficult, many of them give up. Having a gym membership won’t make you fit unless you are willing to put in the work.
Many Christians are content to be merely believers. They have recited the salvation prayer, been baptized, and are hanging on to their entrance pass to heaven. They don’t see any need to go further. They are like people who admit that exercise is important to health but are unwilling to do much more. Professing faith is only the first step; practicing faith is what we are really called to do.
Discipleship allows us to develop the spiritual strength and endurance that we need to stand up against evil. This requires discipline, commitment, sacrifice, and effort. We have to be willing to let go of our agenda and our desire for comfort. A consistent, focused regimen of faith builds up our trust muscles, increasing the power which flows through us. As we train, we notice our priorities changing. Our energies get redirected. We care less about self-promotion, whether it is in this life or the next. Advancing God’s purpose becomes our primary focus. We push through toward the goal, guided by the upward call. Instead of simply pledging our allegiance to God--we actually participate with Him. We ascend from merely believing to discipleship.
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