Discipleship Denied

And there went great multitudes with him: and he turned, and said unto them, “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.”  Luke 14:25-33

Access denied.  Request denied.  Application denied.  We are all familiar with these terms and the many others like them.  Perhaps you have received from a court or government office an official “application denied,” or “request denied,” or maybe you have been greeted with “access denied” when seeking entry into an event or particular private setting.  Oftentimes these denials are temporary obstacles that we are able to circumvent, and thus continue on our way.  At other times, they are final and force us to alter our plans and re-evaluate our course.  

But of all the denials and rejections that we may endure in this life, none can compare with the possibility of having our discipleship denied.  What I mean by discipleship denied is this: Our claim that we are the disciples of Christ may be denied by the Lord himself if we fail to meet the conditions of discipleship which He has established.  Yes believer, there are conditions of discipleship, and no man or woman should think that these conditions do not apply to him or her personally.  

In the above text from Luke, Jesus explicitly set forth three conditions or requirements for those who would consider becoming his followers.  Failure to meet these requirements resulted in a failed bid to be a disciple.  As Jesus set forth his conditions, He was emphatic that those who came short could not be his disciple.  In other words, discipleship denied.

Here are the three conditions.

Condition #1

“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.”  Luke 14:26

This first condition deals with our love for Christ.  We are to love Jesus supremely and at all costs.  We are to prefer Him above every earthly relationship.  Jesus uses the word “hate” to convey what our affections toward our loved ones are to be in comparison to our love for Him.  We are not to hate our relatives in the sense of ill will or malice, but we are to prefer them less than we do Christ.  We are not to disobey Christ, or slight Him to please our mothers or fathers.  We are not to compromise our faith to keep peace with our spouses.  

Included in this condition is the charge that we are to “hate our own lives” as well.  We are to prefer Jesus over our very lives – for our relationship with Him is more important than life itself.

Now you may say, “No one really lives this way, and it can’t be necessary to do so.”  But what have you said, other than that you do not live this way, and that you do not take Christ seriously?  “But isn’t this condition unreasonable?”  Unreasonable!  Was your mother crucified for you?   And your father, was he scourged?  Did your wife bleed for your sins?  Have your children died for you?  Unreasonable?  It is your “reasonable service.”  (Romans 12:1) 

Condition #2

“And whosoever doth not bear his cross, and come after me, CANNOT BE MY DISCIPLE.”  Luke 14:27 

The second condition addresses our suffering for Christ.  The cross is the symbol of suffering and shame.  In the first century, “bearing one’s cross” had both a literal and figurative application.  Many of those who heard these words directly, ended their earthly lives upon a Roman cross.  They denied themselves the comforts of this life that they might promote a higher purpose – the honor and glory of God.  

This condition is still the standard for believers today.  If we do not bear our cross, if we live lives of self-preservation and compromise in order to avoid suffering and humiliation, we CANNOT BE, and ARE NOT his disciples.  

Condition #3

“So likewise whosoever he be of you that forsaketh not all that he hath, HE CANNOT BE MY DISCIPLE.  Luke 14:33

This condition stresses our sacrifice for Christ.  We often hear of the sacrifice of Christ on our behalf.  This is the great truth of the gospel.  Yet He does require a small sacrifice from us in return – we are to forsake all that we have.  All that we possess is to be at his disposal.  In some cases there is a literal forsaking of everything required.  In all cases, there must be a willingness to do so.

Now what can be said about Christ’s teaching concerning discipleship?  Jesus taught that men were to “count the cost” before they began to build – not half way through, lest they find themselves unable to finish and thus become a laughing stock.  In other words, before one chooses to follow Christ, he needs to know what is expected of him so that he can make a proper decision. 

What a gross disservice we have done to the Christian faith, by not only neglecting to set before those coming to Christ the conditions of discipleship, but more so, even hiding these truths from them!  In our desire to make disciples, we have omitted Jesus’ own words on the subject!

Now what have we done?  We have told people that all they need to do to be saved is to “ask Jesus into their hearts.”  We have said, “You don’t have to change.  If the Lord wants you to change, He will change you.”  And again, “It doesn’t matter why you become a Christian, as long as you become one.  Jesus doesn’t care, He loves you so much He will take you any way you come!”  “You should try to obey Jesus, but if you are unwilling to, pray that He will someday help you to become obedient!” 

And what wonderful results have we produced with this steaming pile of garbage that we wrongly call the gospel?  We have made countless converts who are worldly, selfish, rebellious, “lovers of pleasures more than lovers of God,” who never have repented a day in their lives; they are shallow, do not overcome sin, justify continuing in iniquity, excuse their own sinful state, are unreasonable and unreachable.  They are religious hippies, drunk on the hippie love message, and know just enough of the Bible to be happily deceived.

But where will they stand when they are judged by the “words in red?”  They will be deficient.  Their claims of discipleship will be denied.  It will be a day of sorrow, grief and woeful surprise.

And what about us who knew the words of Christ but were afraid to declare them to these poor souls?  We did not want to scare them off, and so we watered down the gospel and presented to the masses a “Jesus” who bears almost no resemblance to the Jesus of Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John.  Did we do them any favors by changing Biblical Christianity into a non-threatening love message of unconditional acceptance?  How will we be judged who have “changed the truth of God into a lie?”

People, it is not too late to sit down and “count the cost.”  If you never have, you must, if you are to be found acceptable to God.  Then let us go from there and present Jesus in a way that is worthy of His approval.  We might be surprised to find that there are yet souls out there who will meet the conditions of discipleship, and “follow the Lamb whithersoever He goeth.”  Who knows, we may have our discipleship approved as a result.

Who is On the Lord's Side?

Then Moses stood in the gate of the camp, and said, who is on the Lord’s side? let him come unto me.  And all the sons of Levi gathered themselves together unto him.  And he said unto them, thus saith the Lord God of Israel, put every man his sword by his side, and go in and out from gate to gate throughout the camp, and slay every man his brother, and every man his companion, and every man his neighbor.  Exodus 32:26, 27

Picture this scene.  Moses, whom God had chosen to be both prophet and leader of the Old Testament Church, has just finished forty days alone with God in the mountain.  He has sat in God’s presence, and heard his voice.  He has received directly from God tablets of stone which contain the Law of God – written, rather chiselled, by the finger of God.

Suddenly, this sacred moment is interrupted.  The Lord tells Moses, “Go, get thee down, for thy people have corrupted themselves.” (Ex. 32:7)  The fierce wrath of God has been ignited, and He bids Moses, “Let me alone…that I may consume them.” (Ex. 32:10)  Moses, however, pleads with God to spare them and his prayer is heard.

As Moses enters the camp he finds a golden calf, idolatry, revelry, immorality and lewdness.  He breaks the tablets which God had given him and burns their idol as well.  Moses then positions himself in the gate of the camp and utters, “Who is on the Lord’s side?”

 

What then takes place is probably very difficult for today’s Christian to identify with.  Those who respond to “Who is on the Lord’s side?” are commanded by Moses to go through the congregation – not with words of encouragement, not with sympathy and understanding, not with promises of forgiveness, but with swords unsheathed!  They are exhorted to “slay every man his brother, and every man his companion, and every man his neighbor.”  The result was the execution of three thousand men – most likely the main offenders in this rebellion against God.

Now what shall we take from this lesson?  Certainly we are not to go through our congregations and literally slay our brethren, companions and neighbors for their sins.  But we are, however, required to have the same zeal against sin and be willing to unsheathe the sword of the Spirit which is the Word of God.  And if this sword slays our relatives, friends and neighbors – so be it.  For indeed, whose side are we really on?  And again, “Who is on the Lord’s side?”

The question at hand is not whether we should be loving and charitable – that we should be is evident.  The question is this:  When presented with a dispute between God and sinners, or between God and the church, or between God and your relatives, friends or neighbors, or lastly, even between God and yourself- whose side are you on?  With whom do you ultimately sympathize – with those who are sinful and wrong, or with Jesus Christ?  Do you feel more sorrow for those who rebel against God, or for God who is the recipient of their injurious treatment?  Do you feel more pity and have more love for those who by their impenitence do yet crucify Christ, or does your heart go out to Him whom they spit upon, scourge, and nail?  

More often than not, Christians are on the wrong side rather than the Lord’s side.  We are unwilling to let the sword divide us from relatives, friends and neighbors, and thus we stoop to all manner of compromise to make sure that everyone likes us and that no one is threatened by us.  We want their approval.  We want their friendship.  So we commit their iniquity and drink the cup of their death, and never consider that we who are so sure of God’s love toward us, have indeed become his enemies.

His enemies!  God forbid!  Why, we are the children of our loving God, and are the bride of Christ!  On the contrary, O adulterers and adulteresses: “Do you not know that friendship of the world is enmity with God?  Whosoever therefore will be a friend of the world IS the ENEMY of God.” (James 4:4)  Whosoever means you!  If you drink with them, you will drown with them.  If you sleep with them, you will sleep the sleep of death with them.  If you live like them, you will die like them.

Ah!  But what about the love of God?  Again to the contrary, what about the love for God?  What about loving the things He loves and hating the things He hates?  What about genuinely caring about his feelings?  It is this sympathy with God which defines our faith as to whether it is true or not.  It is the foundation of our fellowship with Him and with one another.  I would rather be with one believer who truly cared about and sympathized with Jesus Christ, than with ten thousand believers who care little about Him, and sympathize only with themselves.

So reader, whose side are you on?  Are you on his side when He offers love to all mankind?  I’m sure you are.  Are you on his side when He extends forgiveness and mercy to sinners?  Yes, you are.  Are you on his side when He is patient and kind toward you? - Definitely.  But are you on his side when He rises to execute judgment upon sinners?  Do you agree with Him then?  Are you on his side when He casts the impenitent into hell, though they be your relatives, friends, and neighbors?  Or do you feel that He is somehow unfair and cruel to treat your loved ones so?  And lastly, would you take his side if he weighed you in the balance and found you wanting?  Or do you feel that somehow God owes you grace, and favour, and unconditional acceptance?

Thus brothers and sisters,  let us learn from the example set before us.  The Israelites turned away from the Lord when Moses was absent, and indulged in idolatry and immorality.  At his return, a distinction was made as to who was on the Lord’s side and who was not, and the guilty were slain.  So it will be in the end of this age.  The King of kings and Lord of lords shall descend from heaven mounted on a white steed and clothed in a robe dipped in the blood of transgressors.  Distinctions will be made. “The slain of the Lord will be many.”  And who is on the Lord’s side will be manifest.

Quit You Like Men

Watch ye, stand fast in the faith, quit you like men, be strong.  1 Corinthians 16:13

The Corinthian church was a church beset with many problems.  After a promising beginning, the church became afflicted with a host of issues:  doctrinal errors of various kinds, ambitious teachers who opposed the apostle Paul, divisions and strifes, and moral scandals.  When the news of these troubles reached Paul, he was stirred by the Holy Spirit to take up his pen and address the situation with an epistle.

After a lengthy letter in which Paul employed rebuke, correction, reproof, encouragement, doctrine – and every other means to affect a spiritual cure – he inserted a short, parting command:  quit you like men.  Quit you like men is old English for “act like men.”  The Greek signifies to “make a man of,” “play the man” or “act manly.”  

What a glorious command!  As Paul had pleaded with and exhorted the Corinthians to overcome their faults and bring forth fruit becoming their profession of Christ, he then summed up the whole of his exhortation:  QUIT YOU LIKE MEN!  ACT LIKE MEN!  ACT MANLY!  PLAY THE MAN!

You see Christian, there comes a point in time after we have heard all the sermons, debated all the doctrines, philosophized about the great love of God and His immeasurable grace toward us, after we have been coddled and stroked, encouraged ad nauseum, have made every excuse for our failures, blamed everyone but ourselves – from Adam to our parents – when we must answer the question:  Do we have the guts to be real Christians?  Will we “quit like men,” put off our compromise and set before the world a Christianity that beams with light and stings with salt?  Will we be willing to proclaim the true Jesus of Matthew, Mark, Luke and John, who never begged for followers nor made his message palatable for the masses, who never apologized for who He was or what He said?   

I am convinced that the Christianity of today is a completely different faith from that of the first century.  The differences are vast.  The early church’s message was powerful, but ours is weak.  Their leaders were rugged men with grit, our leaders are soft and compromised.  Our leaders are afraid to confront sin, their leaders would not tolerate it.  The early Christians died in the circus, today’s church is a circus.  

And perhaps one of the saddest exhibits of the modern church circus is the demasculated man.  Do you see him on the midway?  There he is now, the weak one, unable to stand without the aid of his support group, begging, “Be my mentor!  Be my mentor!  My father didn’t love me and I can’t relate to God, I can’t show emotion and I can’t keep my word!”  Isn’t he pathetic?  But do not fear, for there is hope for him.  For at the end of the midway, behind the booth where the "cotton candied" religion is sold, there is a gathering of other demasculated men ready to mentor and be mentored.  Now our demasculated man is in good hands, for here he will learn the valuable lessons of “how to get in touch with his feminine side,” so that he can become a more caring, motherly man!  And finally, empowered by the support of his snivelling peers, he rises to hold hands with his brethren (I’m getting sick) to give God praise!  

Gentlemen, can we make an end of unmanly Christianity?  Can we do away with a religion that is unworthy of our Prince?  To make excuses for sin is weak.  To blame others for our faults is detestable.  I am what I am, not because of my environment or upbringing, but because of my choices.  

I maintain that a man who is in Christ does not need a “feminine side” (If you have one repent of it!).  A Christian man is capable of great feeling and compassion without needing to become effeminate.  He is bold yet meek; he is strong yet merciful.  He is filled with resolve; he has guts – he has grit.  He has counted the cost of following Christ and has suffered for it.  He does not care what the world thinks or if he must walk alone.  He is a good soldier; he will not forsake his post.  

So as we toil in the trenches of life and the battle is sore against us, as the war rages and darkness surrounds us, as we stumble and fall with our strength spent and our hopes crushed, a distant shout from an old battle scarred general may still be heard:  “QUIT YOU LIKE MEN, BE STRONG!”

Here I Stand, I Can Do No Other

Diet of Worms- April, 1521

CHANCELLOR OF TREVES:  “You have not answered the question put to you.  You were not summoned hither to call in question the decisions of councils.  You are requested to give a clear and precise answer.  Will you, or will you not, retract?”

LUTHER: …”it is unsafe for a Christian to speak against his conscience.”  And then looking round on this assembly before which he stood, and which held his life in its hands, he said:  “HERE I STAND, I CAN DO NO OTHER; MAY GOD HELP ME!  AMEN!”

Nearly five centuries have passed since the bold monk of Wittenberg uttered this most famous quote of the Reformation.  A prisoner of his own conscience and bound by his faith, Martin Luther “could do no other” but stand by his convictions, and thus joined the ranks of the thousands of saints and martyrs that had gone before him.  Unwilling to surrender his faith to the secular authorities and the worldly church of his day, he counted the cost and willingly offered himself as a sacrifice for the truth – he could do no other.  

As the evangelical church of our day slips further into compromise and spiritual darkness, I wonder where our Martin Luthers are.  I wonder where our reformers are who might transform the church of today and not allow it to continue on its present path toward apostasy.  I wonder where those true saints are who by their lives declare, “Here I stand, I can do no other.”  

And as I wonder about these things, I find myself more and more afflicted by the continual decay of the moral standards of today’s church.  I am pressed on every side as I watch an apostate form of Christianity subtly, yet rapidly, infiltrate our churches and claim both preacher and church member as its converts.  Yet as this darkness increases, I for one am stirred to fight against it.  I have counted the cost; I am ready for war.  So in the spirit of Luther:  Here I stand, I can do no other.

I can do no other but to reject a Christianity that does not require a man to “deny himself, take up his cross and follow Christ.”  Christianity is and must be a full surrender to Jesus Christ.  Here I stand.  

I can do no other but despise a “salvation” that tolerates and excuses drunkenness, fornication, and immorality among professing Christians.  If the drunken and immoral are embraced as true Christians in today’s church, I want no part of it.

Here I stand for a gospel that transforms the sinner’s moral character from self indulgence to self denial, from unholiness to purity, from darkness to light.  If the New Testament promotes something less, I am unaware of it.  

Here I stand against the modern church’s weak message of love and forgiveness - a message that omits love for God and offers forgiveness without repentance.  I can do no other but disdain this modern “gospel,” which is entirely consumed with temporal happiness and cares little for the honor and glory of God.  

Here I stand against the modern prophets and evangelists who “wear soft clothing,” who “love to be called ‘Rabbi’,” and “receive glory one from another,” who “suppose that gain is godliness,” and “devour widows’ houses,” all while promising a hundredfold return.  I can do no other than reject both their visions and teachings.

Here I stand against the adulterous church leaders who cannot overcome their weaknesses, but indulge themselves with “silly women laden with sins.”  If you must be an adulterer, do it elsewhere and leave the pulpit to those who fear God.

I can do no other but oppose and reject anyone or any church that is sympathetic toward homosexuality.  Any preacher or church that declares that a practising homosexual has eternal life, I oppose.  Here I stand.  Cut me, bleed me, burn me, but I will never bend on this point – I can do no other.

Finally, I can do no other but to call black, black and white, white; to “abhor that which is evil and hold to what is good;" to “judge a tree by the fruit it bears;” and to “hold faith and a good conscience.”  This is where I stand.

How about you?