I want to talk to you for a little while about whether or not you are willing to pay the price to be a true disciple of Jesus. Are you willing to be a martyr for Jesus? And to be a martyr doesn’t always mean that you physically die. Look at this definition of the word ‘martyr’ from Webster’s dictionary.
Webster’s definition of the word ‘martyr’:
1) a person who voluntarily suffers death as the penalty for declaring belief in and refusing to renounce a religion.
2) a person who sacrifices something of great value and especially life itself for the sake of principle.
Are you willing to give up something of value for the Lord Jesus? Specifically, your life? And I’m not talking about physically dying, either, but rather, are you willing to give total control of your life over to the Lord Jesus, no matter what the personal sacrifice is? Example: The rich young ruler was called to give up all of his possessions and follow Jesus, but he refused, because his ‘stuff’ meant more than Jesus and His calling of this young man. So, which camp are you in? If you find that you really WANT to be willing to give up anything and everything, but you are not at this point, tell Him about it. He understands that we are just flesh and blood people who struggle, and He still loves us regardless of our offenses against Him. Ask Him to make you willing, and He will. Just don’t shut down and quit talking to Him. Remember that I love you guys and I’m praying for you.