Questions:
3.
His country, his people, his father’s household – His way of life.
4.
- Called Apostles to leave fishing, follow him, become fishers of men, immed left boat, home
- Follow me and let dead bury their own
- Deny yourself, take up cross and follow-save live=lose it, lose for Him & gospel = save it
- Love Jesus above all others (mom, dad, wife, kids) cost of discipleship is total sacrifice of self
- Called out of darkness and anything of this world
My Daily Journal:
Do you have to leave home to become a fully devoted follower of Christ?
For most of us, the first response to that question is, “of course not.” But, let’s look at all of those verses again. Let’s look at the call to the apostles. Let’s even look at Jesus’ life.
I think the challenge is that our neighborhoods shape us into their likeness more than we would like to believe. We feel the pressure to spend our time picking up leaves when neighbors on both sides have leaf free lawns. We get drawn into conversations about neighbors, teachers, who bought what, who is doing what, too much gossip. We suffer from the “keeping up with the jones’ syndrom.” All, whether we like it or intend to or not.
Do we have to leave our homes behind? Not necessarily in a physical sense, if we are willing to do it in a spiritual and relationship sense. As Christians our primary neighbor is Jesus. Not only is He our neighbor but He is our Lord, the one we serve. Our “norms” should be set by His commands for our life. Our language should reflect the joy in our hearts for Him. Our passion for others should always be an outpouring of the love He has for all of His creation.
What do you know about the 8 neighbors around you (the ones whose homes encircle yours)? What do they know and see about your walk with God? How do they see you spending your time, talents and money? How much of your life do they see conforming to the neighborhood vs. living differently and transforming into holiness?
Maybe moving would be easier.
The Notes are Good 