19. Think it through!
Becoming a child of God is very easy, because there's nothing you have to do yourself. But if it's that easy, why are there so many people who don't (yet) want to be a child of God? The reason is the following: many people want to have the cake and eat it too! Later - when they die - they do want to go to heaven, but now – here on earth – they want to live any way they want. But this isn't possible. The Lord Jesus says:
- For which of you, intending to build a tower, sitteth not down first, and counteth the cost, whether he have sufficient to finish it? (Luke 14:28).
Do you want to follow the Lord Jesus?
This passage in the book of Luke is about following the Lord Jesus. He compares it with a man who wants to build a tower. Before he starts building, he should first calculate what the project will cost, so he doesn't have to quit building when it's only halfway done because he ran out of money. Following the Lord is similar. If you want to follow Him in your life, He asks you to think this through very carefully. You can only follow Him when you're willing to give up everything. This doesn't mean you have to be perfect. On the contrary; God redeems sinners to Himself. He does not look for people who have restored themselves. You can come as you are, but you cannot stay that way. It means you have to be willing to surrender to God.
You could create a list now of what it would cost you to follow the Lord Jesus; things you would have to give up, like your (porn) addiction, gossip, disobedience, greed, or your dreams. But in summary it comes down to the following: are you willing to give up your self (your way of thinking, your selfishness, your pride) and bow down to the Lord Jesus? Will you allow Him to run your life?
A thought to ponder on your own
Read Matthew 19:16-22. What aspect of his life did the rich young man not want to surrender?
What will it cost you to follow the Lord Jesus?
What does God promise those who give up everything to follow Him?