Luke 9:57-62
There is a song with the following refrain: “Everybody wants to go to Heaven, but nobody wants to die.” We all want to attain heaven; we also like our lives here on Earth. Strictly speaking, that is not necessarily a problem; God blesses us and desires joy for us while we live here. He also has a mission for each of us while here. The problem arises when we think joy means getting what we want rather than God’s mission. Sadly, many want their ticket to heaven punched, but never want to actually leave the station and take the trip.
In our passage, we see several who did not want to get on the train of discipleship. The excuses were many and varied. All of them wanted the blessing of eternal life, but no change in their priorities. Jesus reminded one that the path He followed was difficult; it seems likely that one chose to stay. One wanted to take care of his father’s business and another wanted to say goodbye to his friends. Things never change, friends. Now we have sports, a new bass boat or even just a work schedule that makes us want to lie around when we aren’t working. The reasons to not follow Jesus are still many and varied.
We are never saved by following Jesus(works), but clearly following Jesus is a result of that gift. If we choose not to follow, Jesus told us that we are, “not fit for the Kingdom of God.”
Truth in Palmyra 
March 1, 2018 at 08:17
Amen! Truth will set a man free! Thanks for this Truth!
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March 1, 2018 at 08:19
Thanks for reading and commenting. Have a blessed day!
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March 1, 2018 at 08:23
Good stuff brother.
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March 1, 2018 at 08:24
Thanks much, Keith. Be blessed today!
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March 1, 2018 at 08:26
You too.
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March 1, 2018 at 08:33
I was JUST asking my husband this question: Why do we say we love the Lord but then fight so hard to stay here? Is that loving others and things ABOVE Him?
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March 1, 2018 at 08:38
I suppose it depends on why we want to stay maybe? I hate to go and leave lost folks behind, ya know? And, I confess to rather liking my life, which may be questionable. Good question though Elizabeth.
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March 1, 2018 at 09:24
That IS a good question! I love it. I think we all get swept away in the breathtaking delights of this world from time to time.
When I was younger, I wanted to stay on earth because there were so many things I hadn’t experienced yet. Now, in my mid-thirties, I’m not all that keen to stick around until I’m 110. I long for my heavenly home with Jesus.
The Lord has blessed me in a way I never conceived possible: I have been pulled time and time again from my comfort zones and moved hundreds of miles away from places and people I loved so dearly. Now, after being displaced so much, I really don’t feel at home ANYWHERE. Even my current home feels more like a springboard than a resting place. Frankly, I have no longer have any desire to get comfortable in this life. The constant transition woke me to the fact that this world is all passing away and we do not know what tomorrow may bring.
My prayer is, “Lord, make me a useful instrument in your hand as long as you give me breath. And if it be your will, Lord, come soon.” (And may that be may prayer until the day the Lord calls me home!)
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March 1, 2018 at 09:30
Elihu, I think that just about said it perfectly. Thanks so much for adding that! I think you nailed it rather nicely.
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March 1, 2018 at 09:33
Thanks, Wally. I think my biggest fear is losing that sense of need for God and the urgency to do the next right thing. I keep thinking about the Kings of Israel who started off so well and ended up forgetting about God when their circumstances improved. I don’t want to gain comfort and lose God, for then I will have lost everything!
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March 1, 2018 at 09:43
Urgency….what a great word to describe how we should walk. We have no clue about tomorrow, although we often act like the tomorrows are never-ending. Also true about how favorable circumstances can cause us to lose track of just where those circumstances came from.
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March 1, 2018 at 09:47
God created life. Sin and rebellion created death. Death is the enemy of life and of God. Jesus wept at the grave of Lazarus and wept again in Gethsemane, facing his own death. All the same, Jesus–by dying and rising again–conquered death. From an enemy, death has been changed to a servant doing the will of God. Jesus holds the keys to death. With an Easter faith, we can accept death–but we still rejoice in life. We rejoice in life today in this sin-polluted world, and we rejoice in the guarantee of eternal life in a perfect world to come. J.
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March 1, 2018 at 09:50
Amen my brother. Thank you for that.
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March 1, 2018 at 11:53
Sadly…Matthew 13:7 is where many (in my opinion) of the Church end up… These are the seeds that fell among thorns that grew up and choked out the tender plants. The start was strong, but the finish is lack luster at best. I’m not being judgmental because I too have to do a bit of judging of myself to make sure I don’t fall victim.
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March 1, 2018 at 11:55
I totally agree Patrick it is a very serious issue and I will only add that those of us who have been there done that could do a better job of helping those folks along
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March 1, 2018 at 12:54
Good stuff Wally.
For me it was a love of the world and pride.
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March 1, 2018 at 13:02
A lot of the quote unquote sinfull things of the world I really don’t miss that much. But also my desire to be in control of everything around me
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March 1, 2018 at 13:09
I feel ya Wally, I like to be in control too.
I liken saying I enjoyed the sinful things I did to liking cigarettes. I used to like cigarettes quite a bit but they were killing me. Sin was also killing me.
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March 1, 2018 at 13:30
Fixed
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March 1, 2018 at 13:01
Good lesson, Wally. This touches on some of arguments over “decisionism.” Many profess to have accepted Christ at a service or church event where an invitation is given, but for many there is no fruit to show afterwards. As we’ve discussed before, I like the idea of an invitation and sinner’s prayer being given and then leaving it up to God as to who has genuinely trusted in Him or not. I do remember fretting and fretting over accepting Christ after I understood the Gospel. I hesitated because I didn’t want to be known as one of those “Jesus freaks.” But after accepting Christ, I have never been able to follow Him perfectly. Genuine believers who are – to varying imperfect degrees -committed to serving the Lord do cave to sin regularly (we still have that sinful flesh) or they may even walk away from the Lord for a “season” (mucho guilty!).
After reading this post, I was curious what John MacArthur had to say on this passage because I know he’s very much against “easy-believism” invitations. In his sermon, he comes down really hard on “decisionism” and the disingenuous professions of faith that can be a by-product of “decisionism.” He may have some points, but I can’t wrap my head around just leaving the Gospel open-ended WITHOUT giving an invitation and encouraging people to accept Christ through a prayer.
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March 1, 2018 at 13:43
Thanks, Tom, that’s a great addition to this. I think we see very eye to eye on this and share the same concerns. I worry a lot about those who respond to an invitation, get baptized, then disappear almost instantly. I also know that it is between them and God, but am not above challenging them a bit to perhaps do some self-checking. Of course, that requires a visit, since it likely won’t happen in church. I also like to try and stay personally connected with those I have been blessed to lead the way with, and help them understand it was not over that day. Finally, in there is rarely a time I teach that the Gospel is not presented at least briefly, just in case. I know in my case, without an invitation I’d likely still be lost. Took to the third verse of “Just As I Am,” before I caved. I am pretty sure the preacher knew what was going on because that’s not normal for us at all to do that. I thank God every day for that extended invitation. I also know that what happened that day was the real deal, because the change I felt in my was real. I know feelings aren’t the key, but feelings can also be very real. God is good like that, to give us an assurance. Thanks again, Tom.
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March 1, 2018 at 14:53
Thanks, brother, and thanks for your comments!
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March 1, 2018 at 18:19
Reblogged this on Talmidimblogging.
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March 1, 2018 at 18:35
Thanks brother Vincent
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March 2, 2018 at 01:34
You’re very welcome Brother Wally 😎
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March 2, 2018 at 19:02
It is difficult for me to see how a “born again” “new creature” “Christ lives within” Christian cannot tell by self examination that he is a child of God. Even if one has addictions difficult to break, how can he not hate his sin and repent repeatedly if necessary. Paul says to “examine oneself” before partaking of the Communion. Surely this means something! Interesting discussion.
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March 2, 2018 at 19:29
Well, and you just made it a bit more interesting, Oneta! You just made a really great point. If we can sin with no feeling of remorse or needed repentance, we have a problem. If our Lord does not chasten us, then we aren’t His. Thanks for that addition here
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