devotional post # 2004

Luke 14:31-35

Luk 14:31 Or what king, going out to face off with another king in battle, will not sit down first and determine whether he is able with ten thousand to contend with the one coming against him with twenty thousand?
Luk 14:32 If not, he will send an ambassador while the other is still a long way off and request terms of peace.
Luk 14:33 In the same way therefore not one of you can be my disciple if he does not renounce all his own things.
Luk 14:34 “Salt, then, is good, but if the salt becomes tasteless, how can it be salted?
Luk 14:35 It is of no use either for the soil or for the manure pile; it is to be thrown away. The one who has ears to listen should listen!”

handling life

Jesus is trying to reach those in the crowd with the “I can handle this” mentality when it comes to eternal destiny. He is telling them, “No, as a matter of fact you do not have enough troops, and your salt is tasteless.” Those who are content to ride through life on their own merits and then be accepted into the kingdom at his return are seriously mistaken.

Renouncing all our things and relying on Jesus alone is not just something “saints” and martyrs do. It is what we all have to do. The gospel is clear. There is only one way to deliverance and that is faith in Jesus. He went to the cross and paid the whole price. Anyone still hoping to handle their life situation without him is still outside the camp.

LORD, forgive us for trying to handle life. Teach us to trust in you alone.