BUILDING STRONGER RELATIONSHIPS



      DISCIPLESHIP WILL COST US SOMETHING
       You cannot get the best out any relationship except there is an irrevocable degree of commitment from all parties concerned whether in business or a marriage setting. The amount of joy, peace and stability we experience is directly proportional to the decree of our commitment to Christ. God desires to have an intimate relationship founded on trust and understanding.  He will not play second fiddle with anyone.
        We regularly reevaluate our relationships with people on the bases  of opportunity cost and when a person isn’t making meaningful contributions to our lives we relegate them to the background, the reason being that every relationship will cost us something to maintain. Likewise is the pursuit of a wholesome relationship with God (luke9:62). Our faithfulness to God determines our commitment to our partners. God detests a partial commitment; its either one is in or out. (Rev.3:15-16)
       Jesus Christ taught on the law of opportunity cost with respect to our place in the kingdom of God  in Luke 14:27-28 NIV “And anyone who does not carry his cross and follow me cannot be my disciple. Suppose one of you wants to build a tower. Will he not first sit down and estimate the cost to see if he has enough money to complete it”

 The parable of the man building a tower is a continuation of the teaching regarding what it takes to be a disciple of Jesus. This parable stresses commitment. "Fair weather friend religion," where a person is only seen to be dedicated in their service to God because they are in dare need of something  will not produce true discipleship. When Jesus said, "Count the cost."He meant it will take a forsaking of all to be His disciple.

          Jesus' teaching on discipleship emphasizes commitment. It would be better not to start following Jesus than to start and then turn back. One is expected to consider all the possible outcomes of turning their back on the world and Satan to follow Christ . Following Christ isn’t by coercion but it definitely requires a willingness to forsake everything.  Satan and the world would fight back but once you overcome the imaginary fears and recognize that one with God is majority and that greater is He that dwells in us than them in the world and also that all things work together for the good of them that love God, it soon becomes really easy to totally make a commitment to follow Christ despite the challenges that may arise along the way.  Receive boldness to follow Christ as you read this now in Jesus name.
 

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