Author: Brian Burdett

“So therefore, any one of you who does not renounce all that he has cannot be my disciple.” – Luke 14:33

Wow! Seriously! What a stunning statement from our Lord and Savior. Any one of us who doesn’t renounce all that we have cannot be His disciple. Does that mean a Christian can’t own anything – a TV, a car, a home, a nice outfit – nothing? Probably not, based on the example of Scripture. However, we must be very careful to never let any of those things own US. That’s what Jesus is really getting at.

You see, a person can have one of two possible relationships with their possessions. Either they own their stuff or their stuff owns them. When our stuff owns us, it dominates our thoughts, controls our emotions, holds our finances hostage, and limits our freedom to do whatever God has called us to do. This is very common in our culture. When we own our stuff, then we can enjoy and appreciate it, thank God for it, and also let it go, give it away, or leave it behind if God tells us to.

That’s what it means to renounce all that we have. It’s recognizing that every possession we own and every dollar we have is a gift from God given to us to manage for His glory. It’s being clear in your mind that God owns it all and being willing to leave it behind if God tells us to go. To give it away if God says to do so. To let it go if we need to travel light for God’s Kingdom. It’s trusting that God’s will is better and more satisfying that the nicest things of the world.

Think carefully about what you talk about the most. Is it the Lord, other people, or things? What do you spend the most time thinking about? Is it the Lord, other people, or how to get or pay for things you have or want? How would you feel if God told you to leave your home, get rid of your car, or give away most of your money? If your words, thoughts, or emotions are very much centered on houses, cars, gadgets, toys, clothes, fortunes, etc, then begin to work on your renouncing skills. Thoughtfully and intentionally turn those things over to God because they may well be interfering with your ability to #FollowJesus

“And behold, some are last who will be first, and some are first who will be last.” – Luke 13:30

Don’t let earthly appearances fool you about eternal realities! For those welcomed into God’s Kingdom as a gift of grace through faith in Jesus Christ, there will be some startling reversals of situation. Some of the “best and brightest” here on earth will enjoy relatively humble situations eternally. Make no mistake, they will absolutely enjoy those circumstances. Everyone in Heaven will be fully, joyfully satisfied there, but it would still be surprising to earthly observers to see “famous” Christians enjoying humble eternal situations. Meanwhile, some who labored anonymously for God’s Kingdom amidst poverty, persecution, and suffering will be serving in prominent roles for all eternity.

This great reversal should be an encouragement to every follower of Jesus. Simply be faithful to whatever God has gifted and called you to do for Him. It doesn’t matter what your titles are at work or in the church. It doesn’t matter what your bank balance is or the size of your following on social media. God knows what you’re doing for Him and why. He sees your faithfulness and it will be rewarded. Those who are faithful stewards over the gifts and responsibilities they’re given here on earth will be rewarded with immeasurably greater rewards and responsibilities in heaven.

On the other hand, if you aren’t feeling all that faithful about your service to the Lord, now is always the best time to turn over a new leaf! Lean more into understanding and obeying God’s Word. Get engaged in Kingdom prayer, particularly for those who don’t yet know Jesus as Lord. Find ways to faithfully and sacrificially serve and contribute to God’s Kingdom, regardless of whether or not anyone else notices. Share your hope in Christ with those lacking hope. Anticipate and live for the joy of Jesus, your Master. #FollowJesus

“And which of you by being anxious can add a single hour to his span of life? If then you are not able to do as small a thing as that, why are you anxious about the rest?” – Luke 12:25-26

Do you tend to worry? If so, please take these words of Jesus to heart. He doesn’t want you worrying. Worrying wastes time and emotional energy thinking about things you can’t control. Worry is a thief that robs your ability to enjoy the present as you stress about the future. As Jesus points out here, being anxious about things can’t add an hour to your life (but it may shorten it). It certainly makes your life less enjoyable. So try not to worry.

If you can’t control something or influence it’s outcome, there’s truly no value in thinking about it. Other than to pray about it. Prayer is your God-given antidote to worry. Why? Because it transfers your concern about something you can’t do anything about to the One Who can do everything about it. By prayer and supplication, you appeal to the all-powerful sovereign God of the universe. Unlike you, He has the power to change that situation or to work it to your good in some way you couldn’t have imagined. And, He has your best interest in heart! So, rather than pointless worry, invest your time and energy into powerful prayer.

Then let that situation go. By prayer you’ve not only done ALL you can possibly do to help the situation, you’ve done the MOST IMPORTANT and POWERFUL thing you can do to influence it. Try hard to discipline your mind to simply not think about that worrisome future. Focus on the present. Be mindful of each moment and enjoy it. See God at work in it. Love those around you. Count your blessings. Try to keep the thief of worry locked out of your mind. #FollowJesus

“Now you are the body of Christ and individually members of it.” – 1 Corinthians 12:27

In His perfect wisdom, God has uniquely shaped and gifted individual Christians to need each other and work together to accomplish God’s will. Individually, we are inadequate to reach a lost and dying world with the Gospel of Jesus Christ. We MUST work together. Paul explains this vividly using the analogy of a human body. Human body parts are remarkable in their abilities because they’re highly specialized. No single part can do everything the body needs to do to live and thrive. An eye without a body can’t live. A body without an eye can’t see. So it is for followers of Jesus.

The Holy Spirit gifts us to complement one another. He shapes us to be together in local assemblies called churches. There we are to use our special gifts and talents for the good of all and the advancement of God’s Kingdom. Separated we have little impact on the world. Together, we turn the world upside down. Separated, we can’t fully live and experience all the blessings of the new life we’ve been given in Jesus Christ. Together, we’re able to grow through the joys and frustrations of obeying the many “one-another” commands of the New Testament.

Can the other parts of the body frustrate us, offend us, drive us crazy, or even hurt us? Yes. That doesn’t change how we were made. That doesn’t change the blessing and growth that are only available when we connect deeply with fellow believers to love one another, learn to forgive one another, bear one another’s burdens, sharpen one another, correct one another, forgive one another, etc. No matter how extraordinary your gifts and talents are, you weren’t made to go it alone for Jesus. You have been made to live in close connection to your brothers and sisters in Christ. #FollowJesus

“But in the following instructions I do not commend you, because when you come together it is not for the better but for the worse. For, in the first place, when you come together as a church, I hear that there are divisions among you.” – 1 Corinthians 11:17-18a

Not all worship gatherings bring glory to God. Not all worship makes things better spiritually for the participants. Paul explains how this is possible by condemning divisions within the churches in Corinth. The local church is the body of Christ on earth. A church’s worship should illustrate, celebrate, and proclaim the truth that what unites us in Christ is more important than anything that could possibly divide us.

Unfortunately, in Corinth that wasn’t happening. In Corinth, the churches were divided by wealth, social class, and favorite church leader. God wasn’t being glorified in Corinth, even as the churches were growing. When a local church gathers to worship the Lord but is deeply divided inside, that isn’t a good thing. When the body is divided that’s devastating to its witness for Jesus. This is why Jesus placed such a priority on praying for unity within the churches (see John 17). It’s a good reminder to every Christian to prioritize unity over the things the world says should split us apart.

In your own life, make sure your intentionally prioritize unity with fellow believers over preferences. Over politics. Over social status. Over financial situation. Over country of origin. Over profession. Over education. Over spiritual gifts. Over favorite ministries. Over musical tastes. Over clothing styles. Keep no list of past wrongs. Be patient and understanding. Settle disputes quickly and reconcile to others as God has reconciled you to Him. Proclaim the gospel by coming together in unity and harmony every time you worship. #FollowJesus