Christians are to be Known by Their Love AND Truth

 

“By this all will know that you are My disciples, if you have love for one another.” - John 13:35

 

Christians are to be known by their love. But the nature of that love should not be interpreted to exclude truth. Love minus truth is not love but merely the soft underbelly of a weak touchy feely counterfeit brand of modern day worldly love.

 

I recently saw this meme that said “And they’ll know we are Christians” then it had “political put downs, unkind memes, name calling, and divisive talk” all with a line through them and one final word “love.” The message was clear. It pointed to John 13:35.

 

Interesting meme. I get it’s message. But as most memes are, it can be misleading. How you define “love,” makes all the difference in the world. Therefore, the meme needs to be clarified. True loving involves speaking truth to someone -“but, speaking the truth in love, may grow up in all things into Him who is the head—Christ—“ (Ephesians 4:15.). That truth makes people feel uncomfortable. The world, and those made uncomfortable by truth, have come to use accusations of “hate” to try and discredit truth. That should not deter us.

 

Now I will agree that the truth is often spoken separate from love such as mentioned in the meme above. But that should not deter us from seeking and speaking truth in every area of life, especially when it comes to matters of eternal life.

 

The Bible speaks of exposing evil “works of darkness” (Ephesians 5:11). It speaks of the Spirit’s restraining lawlessness and unrighteous deception through the Church. And it speaks of those who God will give up to deception “because they did not receive the love of the truth, that they might be saved” (2 Thessalonians 2:6-12). These are all things that should not be left unsaid but are, by this simple meme.

 

Speaking truth about the evil terrible effects of sin and sinful lifestyles is not welcomed by a sinful world. Speaking about the realities of hell and damnation and the ultimate consequences of sinful rebellion and willful ignorance of God, are not popular today. People confronted with such aspects of truth are likely to run to their safe spaces while pointing an accusatory finger at the truth bearer shouting “Hater! Hater! Where’s your love?!” But this is part of being known by our love. Better to warn now in love. Better to love enough now to speak truth now, than to face shame and regret later from the mournful why-didn’t-you-tell-me stares of those on the line to Final Judgment.

 

If we have any doubt as to whether love involves truth, we need look no further than the most loving Man who ever lived, God in the flesh, Jesus. How did He love? He picked up His cross. He went to the cross. He died on the cross, all while people spat on Him and lashed Him. All because He delivered a loving message of truth. If being a “Christian” means being “little Christ’s,” where is such cross bearing and truth telling today? And ask yourself this, if Jesus’ message was devoid of any political consequence or relevance, why did Herod seek to kill Him? (See Luke 13:31-32). Just wondering. Truth is is not limited to comfortable segmented portions of life. Truth applies to all areas of life, otherwise it becomes half truths and part of deception.

 

When under interrogation by Pilate, Jesus stated His life purpose as, “You say rightly that I am a king. For this cause I was born, and for this cause I have come into the world, that I should bear witness to the truth. Everyone who is of the truth hears My voice” (John 18:37). So when we speak of being identified as Christians and speak of love, that love can never be separating from truth. And that truth should be the whole truth and nothing but the truth, so help us God.

 

 

Prodigal Father or Prodigal’s Father?

 

Luke 15:11–32 (NKJV)

¹¹ Then He said: “A certain man had two sons. ¹² And the younger of them said to his father, ‘Father, give me the portion of goods that falls to me.’ So he divided to them his livelihood. ¹³ And not many days after, the younger son gathered all together, journeyed to a far country, and there wasted his possessions with prodigal living. ¹⁴ But when he had spent all, there arose a severe famine in that land, and he began to be in want. ¹⁵ Then he went and joined himself to a citizen of that country, and he sent him into his fields to feed swine. ¹⁶ And he would gladly have filled his stomach with the pods that the swine ate, and no one gave him anything.

¹⁷ “But when he came to himself, he said, ‘How many of my father’s hired servants have bread enough and to spare, and I perish with hunger! ¹⁸ I will arise and go to my father, and will say to him, “Father, I have sinned against heaven and before you, ¹⁹ and I am no longer worthy to be called your son. Make me like one of your hired servants.” ’

²⁰ “And he arose and came to his father. But when he was still a great way off, his father saw him and had compassion, and ran and fell on his neck and kissed him. ²¹ And the son said to him, ‘Father, I have sinned against heaven and in your sight, and am no longer worthy to be called your son.’

²² “But the father said to his servants, ‘Bring out the best robe and put it on him, and put a ring on his hand and sandals on his feet. ²³ And bring the fatted calf here and kill it, and let us eat and be merry; ²⁴ for this my son was dead and is alive again; he was lost and is found.’ And they began to be merry.

²⁵ “Now his older son was in the field. And as he came and drew near to the house, he heard music and dancing. ²⁶ So he called one of the servants and asked what these things meant. ²⁷ And he said to him, ‘Your brother has come, and because he has received him safe and sound, your father has killed the fatted calf.’

²⁸ “But he was angry and would not go in. Therefore his father came out and pleaded with him. ²⁹ So he answered and said to his father, ‘Lo, these many years I have been serving you; I never transgressed your commandment at any time; and yet you never gave me a young goat, that I might make merry with my friends. ³⁰ But as soon as this son of yours came, who has devoured your livelihood with harlots, you killed the fatted calf for him.’

³¹ “And he said to him, ‘Son, you are always with me, and all that I have is yours. ³² It was right that we should make merry and be glad, for your brother was dead and is alive again, and was lost and is found.’ ”

 

I have a question for you to consider regarding this parable. It is a question from a bit of a different perspective. The question is, if you have impregnated a woman, what kind of a father are you? Are you a prodigal father or a prodigal’s father? Now you can be a good father and still have a prodigal, but you can also be a father without a prodigal and still be a prodigal father. That’s God’s grace. But if you are a prodigal father, your chances of having a prodigal are greatly increased. What is a prodigal father? We will see.

 

Fathers are important for good. Studies show unequivocally that a child’s adjustment to and achievement in life, is greatly influenced by a father’s involving their lives or lack thereof.[1] Kids do better in life, they adjust and overcome obstacles in life better and with great success, when they’ve had a father as an involved parent in their life. Fathers, you are important! Fathers, God has a vital plan for your life. God wants to use you to assure successive godly generations. You are critically essential and important in the lives of your children.

 

Fatherly influence or lack thereof is a factor in evil outcomes. If you took a poll of inmates in the prisons across our country, and likely the world, you would find the vast majority of those incarcerated grew up without fathers or with abusive fathers. If you took a poll of those involved in immoral activity you would most likely find that they had a poor fatherly influence or no fatherly influence at all. You could probably find the lake of a father or poor fatherly influence at the root of most aberrant activity. Fathers are an important factor in determining good and evil outcomes in children. Humanity has a sinful nature. And People are guilty for their sinful choices. But the father you have or don’t have is a part of your outcome. There are exceptions. We are who we are by God’s grace. The bad would be worse without God’s grace. The good wouldn’t be good at all without God’s grace. But father’s are an important factor in the equation of life.  

 

With this in mind, can you understand just how important a father is in God’s plans? And yet, one of the greatest problems in our world today are prodigal fathers. Our world’s problems can all be traced to our disconnect with our Heavenly Father. But close to that is the additional problem of prodigal fathers. 

 

I would like to consider three questions: 

 

·       First, what is a prodigal father? 

·       Second, what is a good father? 

·       Third, what can we do about the problem of prodigal fatherhood? 

 

What is a Prodigal Father? 

 

What is a prodigal father? What makes a father prodigal? Here are some considerations in answer to those questions.

 

A prodigal father is not a disciple of Jesus. A prodigal father hasn’t been saved from their sins. They have no personal relationship with Jesus. They rarely read their Bible or prioritize fellowship and show little desire to do so. They pay only lip service to God. They pay only lip service to their wife/mother and family. They don’t walk any talk they might have about following the Lord. They care little about the spiritual welfare of their wife or children. 

 

A prodigal father may be saved from their sins; but shows little fruit of such salvation in their life as a father. Christian fathers can be prodigal fathers too. A Christian father can be living with wrong priorities, wrong interpretations of scripture, a lack of reliance on the Holy Spirit, and a generally carnal or self-serving self-reliant manner. And those who live in such a way, are often guilty of being prodigal fathers. They may use “ministry” as an excuse to neglect their fatherly responsibilities, but if they do, their priorities are wrong. The Bible clearly says, “But if anyone does not provide for his own, and especially for those of his household, he has denied the faith and is worse than an unbeliever” (1 Timothy 5:8). That’s a pretty strong inspired condemnation by Paul. So, I ask you Christian “father,” are you a prodigal father?

 

A prodigal father spends his wealth on self. A prodigal father puts themself before everyone else. A prodigal father prioritizes his needs and wants over his wife/mother and kids. A prodigal father squanders his families’ future. He invests in selfish things. He plays while his family plunged into spiritual, mental, and physical poverty. 

 

A prodigal father leaves home. A prodigal father is an absentee father. A prodigal father abandons his post. A prodigal father is a traitor to his loved ones. They may still live at home, but their activities drag them away from home. A prodigal father can sleep at home, but because they are disengaged from their responsibilities at home, they are in reality, prodigal.

 

A prodigal father is a “father” in name only. A prodigal father is a “father” in name only. They are responsible for biologically producing a child, but that child or children isn’t important to them. They may deny that, but their way of living shows it to be true. Their practices show that their wife and family are not a priority to them. A wife and family should be seen as the most important people in a man’s life. A prodigal’s way of living exposes only a casual uncommitted care for wife and family.  

 

A prodigal father has no interest or sets no value on discipling his children. A prodigal father pays little attention an invests little though and effort into assuring the eternal destinies of his family. A prodigal father leaves his wife, his children’s mother, and spends little quality time with her. In so doing, he sets a terrible example by his nonexistent lifestyle. The prodigal father’s absence and lack of attention communicates a worthlessness and lack of care and value to those who should be most precious to him. Therefore, a prodigal father has little to no positive influence because he isn’t there, and worse, he just doesn’t care. 

 

We should also mention, a prodigal father can be home in body, but away in his thoughts or heart. A prodigal father can be there, but sometimes little more than a lump on the couch. A prodigal father lazily neglects paying attention to what goes on in his house. He has abdicated to leisure the treasures of his home.

 

A prodigal father is self-centered. He cares more for himself than others. He is so obsessed with self that he’s not even aware of the needs of his wife and family. He is concerned with “My dinner. My clothes. My program. My stuff. . .” A prodigal father’s world revolves around himself to neglect of others. A prodigal father lives the opposite of “love thy neighbor.”

 

A prodigal father is unteachable. A prodigal father doesn’t listen to advice or correction. In fact, they purposely “don’t want to hear it,” when someone tries to inform and impress on them the dangers of their prodigal living. They presume they are a “good father” by virtue of simply being a father, or “being there.”  They have a bloated opinion of themselves as a father. 

 

A prodigal father will experience regrets. When the marriage divorces, the children stray, and the family dissolves, they will eventually feel regret, especially as they get older. So self-centered are prodigal fathers that when the downfall comes, they will fail to see it as a consequence of their prodigal living and instead blame someone else for their downfall.

 

What is a “Good Father” the Prodigal’s Father? 

 

What is a good father, a father like the father of the prodigal? When we look at the parable of the prodigal son, and focus in on the father of the prodigal, we see the following characteristics of this good father. 

 

The father of the prodigal was approachable and reasonable (Luke 15:11-12). The prodigal son felt comfortable going to his father to make a request. And the father was reasonable in that he agreed to hear and then comply with the son’s request. 

 

Was this wise on the father’s part? At first, we might think it wasn’t. It didn’t seem reasonable to allow his son to take and then waste his inheritance. It was a lot of money no doubt. But the humble lesson learned was priceless. We can speculate on the father’s behalf that he knew his son, and the hard knocks of life well enough to know what was going to happen. And that life lesson was worth the risk and investment. The father’s decision proved correct when his prodigal boy returned “a new man.” A good father is willing to risk material things to teach an eternal life lesson. 

 

The father of the prodigal had taught his son independence (Luke 15:13). The father had taught his son in a way that made him independent and strong enough to make such a decision. The prodigal’s motivation was wrong, but that he would consider such a move of independence showed the father had built up his confidence. Confidence and independence are essentials to succeeding in life. 

 

The father of the prodigal had taught his son industry (Luke 15:14-16). When the son squandered all his wealth, he knew from his upbringing that he must go to work. Now, he wasn’t able to find a very good job, but this was part of the life lesson. The prodigal had left before his father’s work was done with him. And that too was a lesson. Teaching a willingness and spirit of industry to labor and work is another essential for a productive life. 

 

The father of the prodigal had taught his son to face facts and realities (Luke 15:17). The son had been raised in a way so that he was not unduly stubborn. Life taught him the reality of his foolish behavior, but his father had apparently taught him to face the facts of those realities like a man, with humbled integrity. 

 

The father of the prodigal had taught the prodigal to be humbly teachable (Luke 15:18-19). When the reality of the consequences of his foolish prodigal living set in, the prodigal had enough learned character to admit his wrong and begin to learn his life lesson. He was teachable, even if he had to learn the hard way. His father had taught him this. Life confirmed it. 

 

The father of the prodigal had taught the prodigal about sin (Luke 15:18 and 21). The prodigal knew what sin was and that he had committed it. The father had taught him about spiritual things. The prodigal disregarded what he had been taught at first, but when his foolish behavior played out, he knew to call what he did sin. This conscience and awareness of sin is part of the prodigal’s upbringing. This was the fruit of the father’s parenting and prayers. 

 

The father of the prodigal had the kind of a relationship with the prodigal that allowed the prodigal to return home, even after such foolish prodigal living (Luke 15:18-20). There were no clothes doors or burned bridges on the father’s side. The son knew he could return home if he failed. This gave him confidence to make decisions, even wrong ones, that he would learn from. The father of the prodigal had a good relationship with the prodigal, even when the prodigal acted foolishly. 

 

There was no “I told you so” from the father of the prodigal but a welcoming back loving embrace (Luke 15:20b). There was no “I told you so,” from the father when the prodigal returned. There didn’t need to be. The groundwork for the prodigal’s life lesson had been laid by the father years earlier. Now they were bearing fruit. The father didn’t have to drive his point home with a sledgehammer, life had done that (the Lord had done that). The father’s finishing touch was a loving embrace and a welcome home to the prodigal. 

 

The father of the prodigal was quick to reconcile with the prodigal (Luke 15:22-24). The father did not reconcile with his son prematurely. He waited for the son to learn his life lesson. And when he had been humbled and had repented (because that is what we see in the prodigal), the father quickly welcomed reconciliation with his son. He didn’t torture the returning son with a lecture. He welcomed him back with a celebration and reinstated him as one who had been lost, but now was found. 

 

The father of the prodigal was humble enough to plead with his other angry son to see the blessing of what had happened in the life of the prodigal (Luke 15:25-28). The word “pleaded” (Greek parakaleo) means to beseech, to call near, invite. The father didn’t neglect the good son, he went to him and explained the benefit of what had happened. Interestingly, this word is also used to describe prayer.  

 

The father of the prodigal listened to his good son’s complaint and gave a reasonable and wise response (Luke 15:29-32). The father was open to conversation. He heard the good don out, and then reminded him that all the father had was always at his disposal. The father reminded the good son of the blessings he had. The father subtly taught the good son he shouldn’t be angry or jealous, but ratter, thankful. 

 

In all of this we see the father of the father of the prodigal teaching grace and love and faithfulness and reconciliation, and discipline, and character building and a host of other qualities. But the greatest lesson we learn is how we are prodigals and God is the ultimate Father of prodigals. This is what Jesus is teaching here, and he uses a father figure to teach it. Fathers, your greatest lesson to learn, and to teach, is that we are prodigals and GOD is the Father who will graciously welcome us back when we repent.  

 

We might add to these good characteristics the following: 

 

A good father is a disciple; he loves the Lord. A father, to be all a father should be, should first be a disciple of Jesus Christ, a learner and follower of Jesus. And a disciple, by definition, reproduces other disciples. A good father is a good husband who is attentive to and tends to his wife’s spiritual needs. A good father sees his place as making disciples of his children. A father is someone who has not only produced a child biologically or by adoption, but who also takes an active role in discipline and nurturing their child or children. A good father is a good teacher. They pass wisdom and what is right on to their children. They take the time to learn how to best communicate with each of their children according to each child’s individual needs. 

 

This would include on a secondary level, the father taking the initiative to involve his children in extracurricular activities that will enrich and build them up. But such activities should never take priority over the spiritual needs of the children. Temporal activities should never supplant eternally rewarding activities.  

 

A good father loves his children’s mother. Probably the most important means if being a good father, is loving, cherishing, caring for, comforting and communicating with his children’s mother. Children need to see a father live their mother. They need the security of their parent’s relationship. They need to see the proper manner and respect between parents for each other. They need to see love between their mom and dad so that they will know what marriage and parenting and family is when it comes to time for them to take those steps. 

 

A good father is a good time manager. A father, a good father who will be effective and fruitful in their parenting, is a father who spends time with their children. His children are a priority for him and the way he spends his time proves this. A good father also plans for his family’s future and does not squander it. A good father will get up early before his children rise in order to get work done, or work late after children are asleep, just to make time to spend with them.

 

A good father provides for the needs of his family. That means the physical needs of his wife/mother and his children, but not only the physical needs of the family. There are spiritual, emotional and relationship building needs he needs to provide also. To be a good provider means all of these needs are met, not one or two to the exclusion of the others. 

 

A good father sacrifices self. A good father sacrifices his needs for the sake of meeting the mothers and the children’s needs. A good father lives close to the cross of Christ. He loves his wife as Christ loves the church. 

 

A good father needs help. The Bible says, “Baer one another’s burdens, and so fulfill the law of Christ” (Galatians 6:2). We need to help the fathers around us. We need to pray for them, encourage them, assist them, counsel them, help them.

They need the help provided by God’s grace and the power of the Holy Spirit. They need the help that come from the instructions found in God’s word. He needs help from other fathers and brothers. He needs the support of fellowship. He needs the help of his wife, the mother of his children. 

 

A good father has few if any regrets and is satisfied with the outcome of his family and life. 

 

What Can We Do About the Problem of Prodigal Fatherhood? 

 

How can, how should we deal with the problems of prodigal fathers? Here are a few possible solutions.

 

Prodigal fathers need to repent. To repent is to confess one’s sins to God and to forsake them as something you never want to repeat.,

 

Prodigal fathers should be received back and restored if they do repent. Don’t be like the mean harsh jealous brother in the parable of the prodigal. Heaven rejoices over a repentant sinner. How much more a repentant prodigal father?! God the Father joyfully welcomes the repentant prodigal father. The Lord can restore the years the locust has eaten (Joel 2:25). 

 

Remember, you can be a good father and still have a prodigal. The father in Jesus’ parable is a type of God the Father. If God the perfect Father can have a prodigal, so can we. We can be the best father possible, and because each person must themselves decide to accept or reject Christ, it is possible that prodigals can come from even the best of fathers and home. Having a prodigal is not always the father’s fault. 

 

Make an effort to help fathers, especially prodigal fathers and/or be a father to the fatherless. Look around you. Look for kids without fathers. Look for fathers who need help. Look for these things and pray God opens a door for you to support and help in this way. 

 

No excuses: growing up without a father is no excuse for being a prodigal father. Everyone can have a father, a Heavenly Father. If you try to blame your prodigality on an absent or prodigal father, you are still without excuse. We all have an opportunity to turn to our Heavenly Father. We all have the example of our Heavenly Father to follow. Our Heavenly Father offers to help us not be a prodigal or prodigal father.  All we have to do is turn to Him in Christ. 

 

So, whether you are a prodigal or a prodigal father, turn to your Heavenly Father through faith in Christ. Seek the Lord. You good fathers and others, seek the Lord to stay the course, but also that the Lord might use you to bolster or help a prodigal or prodigal father to overcome their prodigality. God is the best Father. Remember God’s call to all of us: “Therefore be imitators of God as dear children” (Ephesians 5:1). Come home to Him. 

 

 

 

 

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[1] https://www.focusonthefamily.com/family-qa/the-significance-of-a-fathers-influence/

https://www.google.com/search?q=figures+on+impact+of+fathers+on+children&ie=UTF-8&oe=UTF-8&hl=en-us&client=safari

 

The Code of Discipleship –

What it Means to Follow Jesus

 

“If anyone comes to Me and does not hate his father and mother, wife and children, brothers and sisters, yes, and his own life also, he cannot be My disciple.” – Luke 14:26

 

At the end of Luke 14, Jesus speaks of what it means to follow Him. Earlier in the chapter, in the context of being invited by His enemies to dine, Jesus speaks of what I call The Code of Discipleship. Jesus extends an invitation to us to follow Him. But what does that mean to follow Jesus? Take a moment and familiarize yourself with the first twenty-four verses of the chapter, and then continue with this study below.

 

What message do you think Jesus was trying to convey by speaking these parables, each of which involve an invitation? The first parable of the wedding feast invitation speaks about how we should accept an invitation; humbly (Luke 14:1-11). The rulers of the Pharisees needed to learn humility. In the second parable Jesus speaks to us about how and who we ought to invite to dine with us. We shouldn’t use invitations to scheme to build prestige and benefit. We shouldn’t invite people based on how they could profit us. Instead, we should invite those who can’t benefit us (Luke 14:12-14). We should invite the poor, maimed, lame and blind; those who are unwanted and needy. The next parable of Jesus speaks of people who turn down a gracious invitation to a grand supper, and that when they do, they miss out on a rich blessing. We also learn from this parable that Jesus wants His house filled (Luke 14:15-24).

 

The Code of Discipleship is Anchored in the Cross of Christ. Now in this last section of Luke 14, Jesus is going to speak about what it means to accept His invitation and follow Him. Jesus in these last verses is going to speak about The Code of a Disciple. The Code of a Disciple describes Jesus’ expectations for those who follow Him. You might think this code extreme or unreasonable. You might look at this code and think “that’s fanatical!”   But many have lived by codes and given their lives for causes of temporal worth.

 

The three-corner flag fold. I got the following from a friend on social media:

 

Ever wonder why the American flag is folded into a triangle shape at military funerals?

After Taps is played, the flag is carefully folded into the symbolic tri-cornered shape. A properly proportioned flag will fold thirteen times on the triangles, representing the original thirteen colonies with each fold representing a uniqueness of its own as explained below. The folded flag is emblematic of the tri-cornered hat worn by the Patriots of the American Revolution. When folded, no red or white stripe is to be evident, leaving only the blue field with stars.

Have you ever noticed that the honor guard pays meticulous attention to correctly folding the United States of America Flag thirteen times?

The 1st fold of the flag is a symbol of life.

The 2nd fold is a symbol of the belief in eternal life.

The 3rd fold is made in honor and remembrance of the veterans departing the ranks who gave a portion of their lives for the defense of the country to attain peace throughout the world.

The 4th fold represents the weaker nature, for as American citizens trusting in God, it is to Him we turn in times of peace as well as in the time of war for His divine guidance.

 

The 5th fold is a tribute to the country, for in the words of Stephen Decatur, ‘Our Country, in dealing with other countries, may she always be right; but it is still our country, right or wrong.’

The 6th fold is for where people’s hearts lie. It is with their heart that they pledge allegiance to the flag of the United States of America, and the Republic for which it stands, one Nation under God, indivisible, with Liberty and Justice for all.

The 7th fold is a tribute to its Armed Forces, for it is through the Armed Forces that they protect their country and their flag against all her enemies, whether they be found within or without the boundaries of their republic.

The 8th fold is a tribute to the one who entered into the valley of the shadow of death, that we might see the light of day.

The 9th fold is a tribute to womanhood and Mothers. For it has been through their faith, their love, loyalty and devotion that the character of the men and women who have made this country great has been molded.

The 10th fold is a tribute to the father, for he, too, has given his sons and daughters for the defense of their country since they were first born.

The 11th fold represents the lower portion of the seal of King David and King Solomon and glorifies in the Hebrews eyes, the God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob.

The 12th fold represents an emblem of eternity and glorifies, in the Christians eyes, God the Father, the Son and Holy Spirit.

The 13th fold, or when the flag is completely folded, the stars are uppermost reminding them of their Nations motto, ‘In God We Trust.’

After the flag is completely folded and tucked in, it takes on the appearance of a cocked hat, ever reminding us of the soldiers who served under General George Washington, and the Sailors and Marines who served under Captain John Paul Jones, who were followed by their comrades and shipmates in the Armed Forces of the United States, preserving for them the rights, privileges and freedoms they enjoy today. ^[1]

 

All this is part of the code lived for a temporary country in a temporary world that is winding down to the end. Jesus’ Code of Discipleship, on the other hand, is lived for an eternal future kingdom of eternal destiny and worth.

Jesus’ Code of Discipleship is anchored in the cross of Christ.  The Code of Discipleship is anchored in the cross of Christ. As you go through Jesus’ Code, keep the cross of Christ before you. As you consider the Code, see Jesus’ outstretched arms nailed to the cross, inviting you to follow Him. The cross of Christ puts the Code of Discipleship in proper perspective.

 The Apostle Paul was inspired to write of this code and how it should impact the follower of Jesus. The church in Corinth was very gifted, but also very carnal. The church at Corinth was self-centered, cliquish, puffed up and proud. They were caught up in one-up-man-ship. They had “love feasts” with little love in them. They weren’t following the Code of Discipleship laid out in Luke 14 by Jesus. So, the Apostle Paul was inspired to give them some firm corrections.

In his first letter to the Corinthians Paul told the Corinthians they were “saints,” and saved (1 Corinthians 1:2), and he was thankful for them (1 Corinthians 1:4-9), but they were divided (1 Corinthians 1:10-17). They were relying on human wisdom more than the wisdom that comes by the Spirit of God (1 Corinthians 1:18 - 2:16).   As a result, they were spiritually immature, “babes in Christ” (1 Corinthians 3:1-4). The result was they weren’t serving with the right attitude (1 Corinthians 4). They allowed gross immorality to go undisciplined in the church (1 Corinthians 5). They were seeking secular courts to settle disputes for things they should have worked out in the Spirit in the church (1 Corinthians 6). Their marriages were a mess (1 Corinthians 7). They were allowing themselves to be divided over differences of opinion because they cared little for other people’s feelings (1 Corinthians 8). They even brought accusations against Paul! (1 Corinthians 9). They had forgotten the lessons to be learned from God’s children of old (1 Corinthians 10). They even desecrated the Communion Table of the Lord! (1 Corinthians 11). They had all the spiritual gifts, but weren’t administering them in an orderly way, or in love (1 Corinthians 12-14). They even doubted the resurrection of Jesus Christ! (1 Corinthians 15-16). There was a lot for Paul to correct in this carnal spiritually immature church.

 Paul addressed the Corinthians, with all their problems, by reminding them of and emphasizing, the cross of Christ. He said:

 

• 1 Corinthians 2:1–2 - And I, brethren, when I came to you, did not come with excellence of speech or of wisdom declaring to you the testimony of God. ² For I determined not to know anything among you except Jesus Christ and Him crucified.

 The cross of Christ, according to Paul and his inspired word from God, was all that was needed to address and solve the problems they were experiencing. Looking at the cross first reveals our spiritual need. When we look at the cross, we see how foolish and selfish and carnal our immature spiritual behavior has become. When we look at the cross, we discover the solution to our spiritual immaturity. To the Galatians Paul was inspired to write:

 

• Galatians 2:20 - I have been crucified with Christ; it is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me; and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave Himself for me.

The cross of Christ is the solution to spiritual immaturity and is at the heart of the Code of Discipleship. A.W. Tozer explained it like this:

There are three marks of the one who is crucified: one, he is facing in only one direction. Two, he can never turn back. And three, he no longer has any plans of his own.

The cross of Jesus presents us with the heart and soul of the Code of Discipleship. The cross of Christ embodies and defines and calls us to the Code of Discipleship. At the cross of Christ, you come and die. At the cross of Christ, you place all your faith in Jesus. At the cross of Christ, you learn you are not your own but have been bought with the precious blood of Jesus (1 Cor. 6:19-20). These are all necessary parts of being a disciple of Jesus. Therefore, if you want to be a disciple of Jesus, and if you want to implement the Code of Discipleship in your life, you MUST go to the cross of Christ.

Well, the second letter of Paul to the Corinthians indicates they made some changes for the better. Some afflictions or persecution may have awakened them to this (2 Corinthians 1). Trials have a way of purifying the heart. Paul speaks of their repentance (2 Corinthians 2). He speaks of their advancement spiritually (2 Corinthians 3-4). And then in 2 Corinthians 5, Paul shines some bright light on these still shaded Corinthians. Paul, in his own inspired words, but with the same Spirit, shares the Code of Discipleship with the Corinthians. Paul is inspired to put it like this:

 

• 2 Corinthians 5:14–21 - ¹⁴ For the love of Christ compels us, because we judge thus: that if One died for all, then all died; ¹⁵ and He died for all, that those who live should live no longer for themselves, but for Him who died for them and rose again. ¹⁶ Therefore, from now on, we regard no one according to the flesh. Even though we have known Christ according to the flesh, yet now we know Him thus no longer. ¹⁷ Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; old things have passed away; behold, all things have become new. ¹⁸ Now all things are of God, who has reconciled us to Himself through Jesus Christ, and has given us the ministry of reconciliation, ¹⁹ that is, that God was in Christ reconciling the world to Himself, not imputing their trespasses to them, and has committed to us the word of reconciliation. ²⁰ Now then, we are ambassadors for Christ, as though God were pleading through us: we implore you on Christ’s behalf, be reconciled to God. ²¹ For He made Him who knew no sin to be sin for us, that we might become the righteousness of God in Him.

 These words are a powerful description of The Code of Discipleship and what it means to follow Jesus. The Code of Discipleship is the vehicle that will drive us out of carnal Christianity and into a deep abiding rewarding discipleship with Jesus. This is true Christianity. This is what Jesus referred to as “the abundant life” (John 10:10). This is the Spirit-filled Spirit empowered life of Romans 8. Just look at these words and what they say.

A prayerful consideration of Paul’s words here yields the following insights about The Code of Discipleship:

 

1. The love of Jesus should be the compelling force in all we do – 5:14a.
2. Jesus demonstrates His love in dying for us – 5:14b.
3. And because Jesus died for us, we are not our own (cf. 1 Cor. 6:19-20), we in effect are dead – 5:14c.
4. And the purpose or reason for which Jesus died, was that we would no longer live for ourselves but live for Him who died and rose again for us – 5:15
5. This should have radical change on us; we should no longer see those around us or life in general according ot limited material fleshly things, but with an eye to spiritual eternal values – 5:16
6. When we came to Christ the old ways passed away and we were made new in Him – 5:17
7. God made a way of reconciling the lost to Him and this now is our ministry; to make known the reconciliation we can have with God – 5:18
8. God showed us what this means in “that God was in Christ reconciling the world to Himself” which is our example to live out – 5:19
9. We are ambassadors of this message and God is using us to implore the lost to be reconciled to Him in Christ – 5:20
10. It’s all about Jesus who was made sin for us and so that His righteousness could be put to our account when we trust in Him – 5:21

 

This is Paul’s version of The Code of Discipleship. These inspired words are the outflow of Jesus original Code of discipleship delivered here in Luke 14. This is what Jesus invites us to. Will you accept His invitation to follow The Code of Discipleship? Let’s see what Jesus said about this Code.

²⁵ Now great multitudes went with Him.

The privileged religious leaders had been given an invitation to follow Jesus. They chose to refuse that invitation. Therefore, as Jesus said in the parables, He would go to the “highway and hedges” an invite the poor, maimed, lame, and blind. Jesus offered His hand to the religious leaders. They brushed it aside. Therefore, Jesus is going to move on.

There is a time to move on. Sometimes we try to argue people into heaven. We spend a great deal of time and effort on a person. And still they don’t come. We need to remember that while we are spending time on someone who isn’t interested in receiving Jesus, it causes us to neglect someone who might want to receive Jesus.

The Code of Discipleship. What follows is what I refer to as Jesus’ Code of Discipleship. If you want to walk with Jesus and be used by Him in eternally productive ways, this is the code you must follow. Now, this is a code followed in the power of the Spirit, but it needs to be followed nonetheless.

And He turned and said to them, ²⁶ “If anyone comes to Me and does not hate his father and mother, wife and children, brothers and sisters, yes, and his own life also, he cannot be My disciple.

First, your relationship with Jesus must be your most important relationship. Now, let me say from the start that this statement by Jesus should not be construed in any way to support a neglect of one’s marriage or family responsibilities. A disciple of Jesus should be the best spouse, best parent, best friend, best at whatever station in life God places you. Being a disciple should never be interpreted in a way that causes someone to mentally or actually abandon their marital or familial or societal responsibilities. Being a disciple of Jesus shouldn’t make us less of what we should be, it should make us more of what we ought to be.

Jesus ordains marriage and family. We serve Jesus by being a good husband and parent. We should never cast aside marriage and family to selfishly pursue some “call” from Jesus. If Jesus is indeed the One calling us, He will work in the hearts of all those involved. He won’s have us rely on manipulation or scheming. He will move upon our situations by the Spirit.

Having said that, our relationship with Jesus must be our priority and top relationship. We should give Jesus the best of our day and time. Again, this doesn’t mean we neglect our other relationships. In fact, it means quite the opposite. When we keep our relationship with Jesus first, it makes us a better spouse and parent and whatever it is we might be. Our relationship enriches and edifies every other facet of our lives. Loving Jesus most enables us to love others more. Loving Jesus most, teaches us to know what love us. Loving Jesus and being close to Him and walking with Him not only teaches us what love is, it empowers us to live out such love with those around us.

The meaning of Jesus words here should be taken in a comparative sense. Our love for Jesus, should be so great than any other love for anyone or anything else seems like hate in comparison. If we are going to be a disciple of Jesus, then we will have to love Him supremely.

²⁷ And whoever does not bear his cross and come after Me cannot be My disciple.

Second, bear your mission. The word “bear” (Greek bastazei – Present/ Active/ Indicative of bastadzo) means here a continuous picking up, lifting up, sustaining, carrying, bearing. The “cross” (Greek stauron) referred to a cross upon which a criminal was executed. Now since Jesus said this prior to His crucifixion, He is calling His disciples to follow Him even if it means execution. If we are going to follow Jesus, we must set aside all selfishness and self-seeking. When we pick up the cross, it means we lay down our claim on our life and everything with it; our hopes and dreams and everything.

The cross our mission. The cross was the mission objective of Jesus. He came to go to the cross and pay the penalty for the sins of humanity. That was His mission. For us our cross might be something else. Our cross is the mission Jesus calls us to. That mission might be staying put and serving Him where we are. Or it might be going somewhere else to serve Him.

The cross is essential. Bearing the cross Jesus gives us is essential. There can be no compromise on this. If you are going to be a disciple of Jesus and follow Him, then you must be willing to receive and submit to His mission call on your life, whatever that might be. If you don’t pick up your cross, or the cross Jesus gives you, you cannot be His disciple.

²⁸ 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.’ ³¹ Or what king, going to make war against another king, does not sit down first and consider whether he is able with ten thousand to meet him who comes against him with twenty thousand? ³² Or else, while the other is still a great way off, he sends a delegation and asks conditions of peace. ³³ So likewise, whoever of you does not forsake all that he has cannot be My disciple.

Third, count the cost. Jesus says, the person who builds, needs to make an accurate estimate of the cost of the building. A miscalculation will lead to being shamed and mocked for being “not able to finish.” Before a king goes into battle, they assess their resources for the battle which will determine whether they go to war or sue for peace. To be a disciple of Jesus is costly. That’s why Jesus says, “whoever of you does not forsake all that he has cannot be My disciple.” We need to think clearly and prayerfully about any building or warring we embark on in the name of Jesus.

Many a person has missed the mission call of Jesus because of delusions of grandeur. they answer a “call” to “BIG” things which are nothing more than a thinly veiled cover for exaltation of self. And such people miss the call of Jesus.

Others miss the call of Jesus because they refuse to go where Jesus calls them to go. Because of fear or comfort, they turn a deaf ear to the call of Jesus. And they too miss the call of Jesus.

Both these examples of missing the call are unfortunate. For those seeking to discern the call of Jesus in their lives, I encourage you to put your self on the cross Jesus gives you. How do we do that? Paul was inspired to tell us with the words:

• Romans 12:1–2 - I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that you present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable to God, which is your reasonable service. 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.

Only when we extract self out of the equation and humble ourselves before God, will we be able to clearly see the call of Jesus in our lives. Only then.

³⁴ “Salt is good; but if the salt has lost its flavor, how shall it be seasoned? ³⁵ It is neither fit for the land nor for the dunghill, but men throw it out. He who has ears to hear, let him hear!”

 Fourth, don’t be stale.  Salt adds taste and flavor. Salt purifies and preserves. Salt is good and needed, if it is fresh and salty. But if it becomes old and stale and loses its taste and purifying and preservative properties, it’s good for nothing. Jesus says such salt is not even wroth throwing on dirt or on a dung hill. And He punctuates that final statement by saying, “He who has ears to hear, let him hear!” Listen up! These words are important.

Being a disciple of Jesus is challenging. Following Jesus will cost you. It cost Him and it will cost those who follow Him. The great revivalist and preacher Leonard Ravenhill once said, “If you want to be like Jesus, remember, He had a wilderness, a Gethsemane and a Judas.” That’s a little bit deeper than cotton candy religion that promises everything to be sweet if you follow Jesus. That’s a much different cost than those health and wealth heretics who use Jesus to enrich themselves by fleecing the flock of God instead of feeding them. No. When we follow Jesus, there will be lonely wildernesses, Gethsemanes where you sweat drops of blood in prayer, and a Judas or two who will betray you with a knife squarely in your back. 

Culture in our day is trending toward self-love, greed, pride, blasphemy, disobedience, unthankfulness, unholy living, unloving living, unforgiveness, slander, little self-control, brutality, rioting, despisers of good, more inclined to be act like traitors than loyal, headstrong, haughty and arrogant, lovers of pleasure rather than seekers and lovers of God, having a form of godliness or religious pursuit, but denying the true power of true religion, just as the Bible said it would be (cf. 2 Timothy 3:3). But there are some who are willing to make the ultimate sacrifice.

The story behind a photo. A number of years ago I came across one of the saddest photos on social media that I have ever seen. It is a Memorial Day photo of a young woman laying across a military grave with a caption that reads, “In case ou thought it was national BBQ Day.” It’s a photo that breaks my heart every time I see it. The rest of the story behind that photo is worth our somber consideration. I quote in part from an unknown author:

The young woman here is Mary McHugh, taken this day in 2007 (after, her fiancé, Sgt. James John Regan, was killed by an IED explosion in Iraq in February 2007) at Arlington National Cemetery.

Mary moved a thousand mourners to tears with her touching tribute at his funeral. “Jimmy was a hero to many, but he was always very humble,” she said of her beloved. “He always sought team success and not personal glory.”

“Jimmy and I were so excited to stand up in front of God, our family and friends and declare our love for each other,” McHugh said. ”Only God knows why we were deprived of that opportunity, but it doesn’t change the sentiments I have.”

Regan, an All-American lacrosse player and All-State football scholar at Chaminade High School in Mineola, graduated from Duke University. He was deeply affected by the 9/11 terror attacks, which claimed many lives in Manhasset, and turned down a position at financial services firm UBS and deferred a scholarship to Southern Methodist University Law School to join the Army in 2004. He had earned a Purple Heart and a Bronze Star.  . . .

James J. Regan, in his brief life, did not choose the predictable, cushy jobs his background and ability afforded him. Regan, at 26, gave his life for his country, a United States Army Ranger killed in Northern Iraq, having already served four tours of duty - two in Afghanistan and two in Iraq. A fellow Army Ranger recalled, "James Regan was the guy you want next to you at all times." . . . .

James Regan was raised in a large family in a small town and he carried this sense of family and community with him into every new situation. . ..  His family extended to the Army when he enlisted with the sole objective of being good enough to be a Ranger.

James Regan left for his fourth Tour of Duty to Iraq in January 2007 and was promoted to Sgt./E5 Feb. 1. Regan was a member of the 75th Ranger Regiment, the premier light-infantry unit of the United States Army. Their mission is to plan and conduct special missions in support of U.S. policy and objectives. Regan was on such a mission when his vehicle was struck by an IED while conducting combat operations in northern Iraq, on Feb. 9. Sgt. Regan, a fire team leader, was moving his unit to an objective when he was killed.

James Regan's awards and decorations include the Army Achievement Medal, Good Conduct Medal, National Defense Service Medal, Afghanistan Campaign Medal, Iraq Campaign Medal, Global War on Terrorism Expeditionary Medal, Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, Army Service Ribbon, Combat Infantryman Badge, Expert Infantryman Badge, Parachutist Badge and Ranger Tab. He was posthumously awarded the Purple Heart.

Regan planned on a March 2008 wedding to his fiancé Mary McHugh and getting a master's in education. This seemed a natural, Regan was always reading, and instead of the usual college dorm or Army base toys such as PlayStation, Regan had an enviable library. His favorite gift was a Barnes & Noble gift certificate. With his love of history, his master's in education, and his sports record, he was looking forward to a career in teaching and coaching.

NEVER FORGET.

Such a young man. Such a great man. Such a great sacrifice. Such a great loss. Such a great legacy.

Why do I share this heartrending story? Because, if people such as Sergeant James John Regan are willing heroically to set aside temporal earthly benefits to sacrifice for temporal earthly causes, how much more should we who are called to the eternal causes of Christ be willing to set aside temporal earthly benefits for eternal heavenly causes?

There are tremendous blessings in being a disciple of Jesus. But they are blessings that are much different than how this world defines “blessing.” More often than not the blessings we receive from following and serving Jesus in this life, come after this life. Remember what the Spirit says in the final book of the Bible: “Then I heard a voice from heaven saying to me, “Write: ‘Blessed are the dead who die in the Lord from now on.’” “Yes,” says the Spirit, “that they may rest from their labors, and their works follow them” (Revelation 14:13).  And remember, “For God is not unjust to forget your work and labor of love which you have shown toward His name, in that you have ministered to the saints, and do minister” (Hebrews 6:10). And always remember, “this one life will soon be past, only what’s done for Christ will last. And when I am dying how happy I’ll be, if the lamp of my life has been burned out for Thee” (C.T. Studd – missionary). Will you accept Jesus’ invitation? Will you accept His call to live by this holy Code of Discipleship?

 

 

 

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[1] See https://nationalflagfoundation.org/the-meaning-behind-the-13-folds-of-the-united-states-flag/#:~:text=This%20is%20what%20the%2013%20folds%20mean%3A%20The,the%20defense%20of%20our%20country%20to%20attain%20peace.