Lk 9:23

A Singaporean colleague shared with me in his prayer news the above verse and his own reflection right afterwards. I found it rather meaningful for all discipleships as follows:

1. My pursuit – “If anyone would come after Me …”

It is neither a person nor a people group that I am pursuing but Christ. It is not my half-hearted approach to Him but a total pursuit of Jesus that He desires. True follower-ship leads to Christ-likeness.

2. My posture – “… he must deny himself…”

My posture, as His disciple, has to be one of total surrender not just commitment.

The difference is in the heart not just the head. It is living the redeemed life not the religious life. Such a posture of follower-ship results in a willing and joyful denial of my selfish agenda in exchange for the resurrected life of Christ. Gal 2:20 comes to mind where Paul declared that the life he now lives, he lived for Him who gave His life for Paul.

3. My perseverance – “…and take up his cross daily…”

It is this aspect of discipleship- the “daily-ness” of cross-bearing that gripped me most. This “daily-ness” of cross-bearing is essential to our discipleship. The failure of daily dying to self leads to the usurping of the Lordship of Christ in our lives. The “daily-ness” of cross-bearing prevents us from being disillusioned by the daily injustice and wickedness in a fallen world,discouraged by the lack of fruits in our ministry and distracted by our personal agenda and worldly temptations.

4. My passion – “…and follow Me”

The call is to follow Him. He alone is our passion, not the journey or the means of our journey. We are to pursue the passion, i.e. devote ourselves to Christ alone. The challenge for me is to focus on Christ – His person, His love and His commands. In so doing, the programmes, the ministry and even the people are secondary to pleasing and glorifying the Lord.

• Could it be that the failure to obey Luke 9:23 is a main cause of premature attrition amongst missionaries?
• Could the adulteration of biblical discipleship be the cause of indigenous Christians giving up their faith?
  
• Could our obedience of Luke 9:23 resolve our cross-cultural conflicts?
  
• Could it be that we have substituted true follower-ship with consumer-ship?

May the Lord bless and keep you and your loved ones in His grace and mercy.

Yes, Lord ! Help us to have these 4 Ps. in our walk with you,as your faithful disciple.