30th Mar 26 | 13:54
Studies by Book
Luke 14 25-33 The cost of discipleship 13 Following Christ to overcome
📖 Luke 14:25-33
04Jan2020 - *Following Christ to overcome* - _Luke 14:25-33_ - Bible reading: _James 1:21-25_
_Luke 14:27 And whoever does not bear his cross and come after Me cannot be My disciple. Luke 9:23 Then He said to them all, "If anyone desires to come after Me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross daily, and follow Me._
We need constant reminder that we cannot be Christ’ disciples by our own strength. We will fail miserably if we try to do so. Discipleship is a walk in the Holy Spirit.
We understood the first requirement to be a disciple of Christ, when Jesus said that we have to hate our loved ones. We then looked at the second requirement, which is to hate our life. The third requirement to be a disciple of Jesus is to deny the self. The fourth is to take up our cross daily.
The fifth requirement to be a disciple of Jesus is to *follow Him*.
When we follow Jesus, we will face three enemies, who are allied with each other against us. They are the flesh, the world system and Satan. Following Jesus is in overcoming these enemies.
The Flesh is hostile towards God and by the flesh we cannot please God _(Romans 8:5-8)_. There is no good thing in the flesh _(Romans 7:18)_. This is the reason why we must identify with Jesus on the cross, for He came in the flesh and condemned sin in the flesh _(Romans 8:3)_ When we die with Him on the cross, a changeover takes place. His flesh become operational in us by His Holy Spirit. This is a mystery but also an everyday reality _(Galatians 2:20/Romans 6:6)_
As we are being crucified together with Christ, we are also, simultaneously, surrendering to the work of Holy Spirit in us to live victoriously over the flesh. _Romans 8:14 For as many as are led by the Spirit of God, these are sons of God. Galatians 5:16 I say then: Walk in the Spirit, and you shall not fulfill the lust of the flesh._
Along with the Spirit of God, we also overcome the flesh by obeying His word. _James 1:21-25 Therefore lay aside all filthiness and overflow of wickedness, and receive with meekness the implanted word, which is able to save your souls. (22) But be doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving yourselves. (23) For if anyone is a hearer of the word and not a doer, he is like a man observing his natural face in a mirror; (24) for he observes himself, goes away, and immediately forgets what kind of man he was. (25) But he who looks into the perfect law of liberty and continues in it, and is not a forgetful hearer but a doer of the work, this one will be blessed in what he does._
The second enemy to overcome, as we follow Jesus, is the world. Friendship with the world is enmity towards God _(James 4:4)_. It is in fulfilling God’s will that we will overcome the world, as we follow Jesus. _Romans 12:2 And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God. I John 2:15-17 Do not love the world or the things in the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him. (16) For all that is in the world—the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life—is not of the Father but is of the world. (17) And the world is passing away, and the lust of it; but he who does the will of God abides forever._
The third enemy to overcome as we follow Jesus is satan himself. _II Corinthians 10:3-6 For though we walk in the flesh, we do not war according to the flesh. (4) For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal but mighty in God for pulling down strongholds, (5) casting down arguments and every high thing that exalts itself against the knowledge of God, bringing every thought into captivity to the obedience of Christ, (6) and being ready to punish all disobedience when your obedience is fulfilled._
To overcome these three enemies, as we follow Jesus, is only possible through His Spirit and through His word _(Ephesians 6:17)_.
*Thought to ponder*
```Are you following Jesus, triumphantly?```