Luke 14:33 In the same way, any of you who does not give up everything, he cannot be my disciple. Discipleship and following are different. Anyone can be a follower. But a disciple, prioritises. For a follower, it is convenience. He may or may not. He will join the meeting online, if the situations are cordial, with camera switched off and then do other things simultaneously as well. A disciple listens with intend, takes note, rerevises it, desiring to practise it. A follower is irregularly irregular in attendance. A disciple longs and plans to listen to the word. A follower may or may not obey, depending on convenience. A disciple's only option is to obey. Why do you pursue Jesus? Is it as if He is the only way to meaningful and purposeful living? Or is He one of the way? Are there other ways of entertainment and responsibilities which would weigh more in your life as compared to this God? Would you take the convenient route or the more beautiful and fruitful route of ...
Luke:14:11 For those who exalt themselves will be humbled and those who humble themselves will be exalted. This example that Jesus quoted has challenged me since childhood. To not to take up seats of honour, lest you would be embarassed and humiliated. But to take up seats of less honour, that you would be honoured by the host later. It is man's tendency to project himself. To take up honour for your own. But to keep it aside, to stay low profile so that others are honoured more, is a great thing. Others might not know it, neither would they know you. You may fade into oblivion just like that. As if you never existed. Without being noticed or honoured. But that is absolutely fine, as God sees it. 1Pet:5:6 So humble yourself under the mighty power of God and at the right time, He will lift you up in honour. But most of us focus on being lifted up in due time in honour. That becomes the motivation to humble ourselves. That is not true humbling. Is the desire to be lifted...