WEDNESDAY'S WISDOM: DISCIPLESHIP: COST & RETRIBUTION...

LUKE 9: 1-6... 
1/ And He called the twelve together, and gave them power and authority over all the demons and to heal diseases. 
2/ And He sent them out to proclaim the kingdom of God and to perform healing. 
3/ And He said to them, “Take nothing for your journey, neither a staff, nor a bag, nor bread, nor money; and do not even have two tunics apiece. 
4/ “Whatever house you enter, stay there until you leave that city. 
5/ “And as for those who do not receive you, as you go out from that city, shake the dust off your feet as a testimony against them.” 
6/ Departing, they began going throughout the villages, preaching the gospel and healing everywhere.

Christ sent his twelve disciples abroad, who by this time were able to teach others what they had received from the Lord. They must not be anxious to commend themselves to people's esteem by outward appearance. They must go as they were. 

The Lord Jesus is the fountain of power and authority, to whom all creatures must, in one way or another, be subject; and if he goes with the word of his ministers in power, to deliver sinners from Satan's bondage, they may be sure that he will care for their wants. When truth and love thus go together, and yet the message of God is rejected and despised, it leaves men without excuse, and turns to a testimony against them. 

MATTHEW 16: 24-27...
24/ Then Jesus said to His disciples, “If anyone wishes to come after Me, he must deny himself, and take up his cross and follow Me. 
25/ “For whoever wishes to save his life will lose it; but whoever loses his life for My sake will find it. 26“For what will it profit a man if he gains the whole world and forfeits his soul? Or what will a man give in exchange for his soul? 
27/ “For the Son of Man is going to come in the glory of His Father with His angels, and WILL THEN REPAY EVERY MAN ACCORDING TO HIS DEEDS.

A true disciple of Christ is one that does follow him in duty, and shall follow him to glory. He is one that walks in the same way Christ walked in, is led by his Spirit, and treads in his steps, whithersoever he goes. Let him deny himself. If self-denial be a hard lesson, it is no more than what our Master learned and practised, to redeem us, and to teach us. Let him take up his cross. The cross is here put for every trouble that befalls us. 

We are apt to think we could bear another's cross better than our own; but that is best which is appointed us, and we ought to make the best of it. We must not by our rashness and folly pull crosses down upon our own heads, but must take them up when they are in our way. If any man will have the name and credit of a disciple, let him follow Christ in the work and duty of a disciple. 

If all worldly things are worthless when compared with the life of the body, how forcible the same argument with respect to the soul and its state of never-ending happiness or misery! Thousands lose their souls for the most trifling gain, or the most worthless indulgence, nay, often from mere sloth and negligence. 

Whatever is the object for which men forsake Christ, that is the price at which Satan buys their souls. Yet one soul is worth more than all the world. This is Christ's judgment upon the matter; he knew the price of souls, for he redeemed them; nor would he underrate the world, for he made it. The dying transgressor cannot purchase one hour's respite to seek mercy for his perishing soul. Let us then learn rightly to value our souls, and Christ as the only Saviour of them.

Though the disciples of Christ are not all crucified, yet they all bear their cross, and must bear it in the way of duty. Jesus bids them count upon it, and then consider of it. Our Saviour explains this by two similitudes; the former showing that we must consider the expenses of our religion; the latter, that we must consider the perils of it. Sit down and count the cost; consider it will cost the mortifying of sin, even the most beloved lusts.  

The proudest and most daring sinner cannot stand against God, for who knows the power of his anger? It is our interest to seek peace with him, and we need not send to ask conditions of peace, they are offered to us, and are highly to our advantage. In some way a disciple of Christ will be put to the trial. May we seek to be disciples indeed, and be careful not to grow slack in our profession, or afraid of the cross; that we may be the good salt of the earth, to season those around us with the savour of Christ.

LUKE 6: 46...
“Why do you call Me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ and do not do what I say? 

Though full and exact returns are made in another world, not in this world, yet Providence does what should encourage us in doing good. 

Those who follow the multitude to do evil, follow in the broad way that leads to destruction.

The tree is known by its fruits; may the word of Christ be so grafted in our hearts, that we may be fruitful in every good word and work. And what the mouth commonly speaks, generally agrees with what is most in the heart. 

Those only make sure work for their souls and eternity, and take the course that will profit in a trying time, who think, speak, and act according to the words of Christ. Those who take pains in religion, found their hope upon Christ, who is the Rock of Ages, and other foundation can no man lay. In death and judgment they are safe, being kept by the power of Christ through faith unto salvation, and they shall never perish.

It is before us to choose; the ball is in our court, let us HONOUR THE KING, as on THE PATH we SHINE, and leave a trail of HIM, that others also, find THE WAY...


BLESS THE LORD, PRAISE HIM ALWAYS, WORSHIP HIS HOLINESS, REJOICE IN HIS PATIENT, LOVING CARE for us, EXALT HIM, THANK HIM, BE GRATEFUL, RELY ON HIM, FOLLOW HIM closely, LOVE AS HE HAS LOVED, GIVE AS HE HAS GIVEN, PRAY, PRAY, PRAY, and STAND FIRM TO THE END, for this, and more, IS THE WAY TO THE CROWN OF LIFE...