The Cost of Following ChristSample
Facing A Choice
Ruth is faced with a choice: who will she follow? She gives it all up to follow God. She is giving up her country, her family, her old religion, her relatives, and her old way of life to follow God. Many do that today when they say ‘yes’ to Jesus. There’s a huge personal cost to them. And they pay it. They have to leave their home, family, friends, old religion, and even their country to follow Jesus. I have met Christians who have been arrested and jailed because they follow Jesus.
Most of us who follow Jesus don’t have that happen to us or have to make these extreme choices, but many do this because they love Jesus. The challenge for us is that when we say we love Jesus and will follow Him, do we mean it?
Many say yes to Jesus in Australia and end up moving to another country and culture to serve Jesus and live in that place and share their lives so that people know about Him. I know a couple who are in Cambodia doing that thing. Some people are in other parts of Asia who can’t say where they are, but they are serving Jesus with the local people.
Ruth’s example here is one to us too. We need to pray for those who have given up much to follow Jesus.
Written by DAVID BARKER
Scripture
About this Plan
The truth of the matter is that we all are called to forsake all and to pick up our cross and follow Christ. That is the Christian life. The readings this week help us reflect on the cost of following Christ. The goal is instead to shift our attention heavenward and to cultivate a heart that can see God’s big picture.
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