+DEV+ Make No Excuse

Date: July 18, 2011 11:41 PM
Topic: +DEV+ Make No Excuse

Make No Excuse

"One thing I do: Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead, I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus." (PHILIPPIANS 3:13B-14)
Scripture Focus: Matthew 4:18-22; Luke 9:57-62

Peter and his brother Andrew were fishing when Jesus said, "Follow me." Without hesitation, they went. Later, Jesus saw James and his brother John in a boat, preparing their nets for the catch. When they heard Jesus' call, they left their father with the nets and followed, too.

Not all people whom Jesus called dropped everything and followed. One man explained that he had to bury his deceased father first. Another promised to join Jesus but only after telling his family good-bye. What Jesus was after in His disciples was their whole heart, not a divided portion or the leftover portion. It would mean being completely sold-out for Christ.

This is the same thing Jesus asks of us today: that we lay aside everything in life that reigns on the throne of our hearts and put Him on the throne instead. Does that seem to be asking too much? Not at all, when we consider that He laid aside all the glory of heaven to pay the price for our sins and win the hard-sought prize of His heart: you and me!

Insight: It takes an attitude of brokenness to forsake our own agenda and obey Jesus in the path of service where he leads us. Follow Him.