30th Mar 26 | 13:54
Studies by Book
Luke 14 25-33 The cost of discipleship 03 Press on in faith
📖 Luke 14:25-33
25Dec19 - *Press on in faith* - _Luke 14:25-33_ - Bible reading: _Hebrews 10:36-39_
Jesus gave this analogy of building a tower as He gave us the cost of discipleship. _Luke 14:28-30 For which of you, intending to build a tower, does not sit down first and count the cost, whether he has enough to finish it— (29) lest, after he has laid the foundation, and is not able to finish, all who see it begin to mock him, (30) saying, 'This man began to build and was not able to finish.'_
Yesterday, we considered the matter of preparedness for discipleship. Today we will look at our responsibility to press on in faith in God the Holy Spirit, to be His disciples.
The writer to the Hebrews is deeply concerned for people to press on in discipleship. _Hebrews 6:4-8 For it is impossible for those who were once enlightened, and have tasted the heavenly gift, and have become partakers of the Holy Spirit, (5) and have tasted the good word of God and the powers of the age to come, (6) if they fall away, to renew them again to repentance, since they crucify again for themselves the Son of God, and put Him to an open shame._ As we consider the thought expressed here, we must simultaneously hold in tandem, the fact that with God all things are possible. He is able to revive the ones that fall back.
_(7) For the earth which drinks in the rain that often comes upon it, and bears herbs useful for those by whom it is cultivated, receives blessing from God; (8) but if it bears thorns and briers, it is rejected and near to being cursed, whose end is to be burned._ The purpose for discipleship is to bear fruit and fruit bearing will only happen as we press on in faith, in God.
_Hebrews 6:11 And we desire that each one of you show the same diligence to the full assurance of hope until the end,_
The need for us is to press on in faith in God, to be His disciples. If we take our eyes away from Him, our discipleship with go astray. _Hebrews 10:36-39 For you have need of endurance, so that after you have done the will of God, you may receive the promise: (37) “FOR YET A LITTLE WHILE, AND HE WHO IS COMING WILL COME AND WILL NOT TARRY. (38) NOW THE JUST SHALL LIVE BY FAITH; BUT IF ANYONE DRAWS BACK, MY SOUL HAS NO PLEASURE IN HIM." (39) But we are not of those who draw back to perdition, but of those who believe to the saving of the soul.
When we come to Christ, the chains of the works of the flesh in us, are broken. This is the fact that we must live by, for our enemy will try to deceive us, with the addictions of the flesh. We therefore must press on in faith, to live no more in the flesh but in His Spirit.
_II Peter 2:20-22 For if, after they have escaped the pollutions of the world through the knowledge of the Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, they are again entangled in them and overcome, the latter end is worse for them than the beginning. (21) For it would have been better for them not to have known the way of righteousness, than having known it, to turn from the holy commandment delivered to them. (22) But it has happened to them according to the true proverb: "A DOG RETURNS TO HIS OWN VOMIT," and, "a sow, having washed, to her wallowing in the mire."_
*Thought to ponder*
```Are you pressing on in faith in God, in your discipleship or are you entangled in sin?```