Disciple part 4
I think this goes along with what I've been Ranting about as far as not denying yourself, but embracing yourself. Being who you really are by finding out who you really are. Learning how to love by learning how God loves you. "So likewise, whosoever he be of you that forsaketh not all that he hath, he cannot be my disciple" (Luke 14:33). And, as usual, I think there's this religious idea of "I can't have anything, I can't be anything, I'm a worm" type of Christianity that springs right to mind. But I want to point out that all throughout Scripture God made people rich. Like... wealthy. Which is to say, I don't think God has a problem with us having stuff. I think the problem comes when stuff has us. When we have something that we're not willing to forsake. Which, by the way, is number 657 in Strong's Greek Concordance and means, "literally to say adieu (by departing or dismissing); figuratively to renounce:- bid farewell, forsake, take leave, send away." Basically, if you have something that you're not willing to part with... your priorites are messed up. The Message Bible says it like this, "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." Sounds harsh, I know, but think about it like this: Being a disciple of God is being a student of love. And if there's something out there that's more important to you than love... you've kind of missed the point. Its all about love. God and people. Loving God and loving people. Loving God BY loving people. Look at Genesis 12:2, "And I will make thee a great nation, and I will bless thee, and make thy name great; and thou shalt be a blessing." Blessed... to be a blessing. Again, its not having stuff. Its stuff having you. You can't give what you don't have, right? So if God wants you to bless people it would follow that He has to first bless you. Give you something to give. "I will bless thee... and thou shalt be a blessing." That's what living out of your abundance is all about. That's why when, in Luke chapter 3 verse 10, the people asked what should we do? "He answereth and saith unto them, He that hath two coats, let him impart to him that hath none; and he that hath meat, let him do likewise" (Luke 3:11). The problem isn't in having a coat. Or two coats. Or a hundred coats. The problem is if you see someone that doesn't have one and you don't give them one of yours. And, its not about freezing to death because you gave up your one and only coat. Its giving out of your abundance. Its being willing to give what you've got. To see a need and meet it. If stuff is more important than people... you cannot be a disciple. Because being a disciple--Jesus said people would know His disciples by the love they showed. And I'm not talking about loving stuff. Jesus said loving each other. People are what's important. Not stuff. You can have stuff... but don't forget about taking care of people. That's the point. That's what being a disciple is all about. Because its all about love. And love is all about people!