Become Imitators of Me -- Phil. 3:17-21

Sunday Morning, August 29, 2010

BECOME IMITATORS OF ME

Phil. 3:17-21

At the risk of sounding like a broken record, I want to remind you of something. If we are going to be disciples of Jesus Christ, we will not fit into this world, and that includes the religious world. If we follow Jesus, we will be like a fish swimming upstream. For the true followers of Jesus, life will not be comfortable in this world. Those statements shouldn’t surprise us, because they are simply reflections of what Jesus Himself said. Matt. 7:13-14, "Enter ye in at the strait gate: for wide is the gate, and broad is the way, that leadeth to destruction, and many there be which go in thereat: 14. Because strait is the gate, and narrow is the way, which leadeth unto life, and few there be that find it." Jesus’ way is the narrow way. John 15:18-20, "If the world hate you, ye know that it hated me before it hated you. 19. If ye were of the world, the world would love his own: but because ye are not of the world, but I have chosen you out of the world, therefore the world hateth you. 20. Remember the word that I said unto you, The servant is not greater than his lord. If they have persecuted me, they will also persecute you; if they have kept my saying, they will keep yours also." Paul summarized this truth when he said, “Yes, and all who want to live godly in Christ Jesus will suffer persecution” (II Tim. 3:12).

This morning we come back to Philippians. And who is the author of this letter? Yes, the apostle Paul. And where was he when he wrote it? Most likely in Rome, but whatever the city, he was in prison. And why was Paul in prison when he wrote this letter to the believers in Philippi? In 1:13 he speaks of his “bonds in Christ.” In 1:17, we see that he is in prison for the defense of the gospel. In 3:8 Paul says that he suffered the loss of all things for his Lord Jesus. Paul was in jail because of his devotion to Jesus. It’s that simple. Before he became a disciple of Jesus, he locked up those who followed and proclaimed Jesus. After becoming Jesus’ disciple, he himself was locked up.

Before we come to our text this morning, let me remind you of where we are in the Philippian letter. At the beginning of this chapter, Paul warns his readers to watch out for the dogs, for the evil workers, for the concision (that is, the false circumcision). Then he makes the positive statement of 3:3, “For we are the (true) circumcision which worship God in the spirit, and rejoice in Christ Jesus, and have no confidence in the flesh.” Paul is contrasting the true way of righteousness with the legalistic rituals of the Judaizers, those who tried to persuade the Philippians to return to the law. In order to bring out this great contrast between the two, he gives us his own testimony in verses 4-14, showing clearly that he had been where the Judaizers are, but all those things he had gained by pursuing his own righteousness he counted loss for the sake of Christ (3:7). He confessed that even though he had been pursuing a closer relationship with the Lord Jesus for over 25 years, he had not yet arrived, but he continued to press toward the goal of the heavenward call of God in Christ Jesus (3:12-14). In verses 15-16 he urged the Philippians to share that same attitude that he was demonstrating.

That brings us to our text for this morning. Let’s read Phil. 3:17-21…

Brethren, be followers together of me, and mark them which walk so as ye have us for an ensample. 18. (For many walk, of whom I have told you often, and now tell you even weeping, that they are the enemies of the cross of Christ: 19. Whose end is destruction, whose God is their belly, and whose glory is in their shame, who mind earthly things.) 20. For our conversation is in heaven; from whence also we look for the Saviour, the Lord Jesus Christ: 21. Who shall change our vile body, that it may be fashioned like unto his glorious body, according to the working whereby he is able even to subdue all things unto himself.

I. A Clear Command: Follow Me (Become Imitators of Me)

In verse 17, Paul gives two clear commands to his brothers (and sisters) in Philippi. What are they? The first is, “Be followers of me.” The second is introduced by the “and.” “Mark them which walk after our example.” Let’s begin with that first command.

The use of the term “brethren” reminds us that Paul is talking to Christians, not to the world. He is not trying to persuade all people to follow him; his command is to his fellow-believers. Please allow me to give you a very literal translation of this first command: “Become joint imitators of me.” That’s it. The word I translated “imitator” is the
Greek word from which we get our English word “mimic.” If you prefer, “Mimic me; imitate me.” Without question, Paul tells his readers to become imitators of him.

Before we go any further, I need to make it clear that this is not an isolated command. Paul uses this phrase “become imitators” six times. In two of the six, it is a statement of fact rather than a command. That is in 1Thes. 1:6, "And ye became followers [imitators] of us, and of the Lord, having received the word in much affliction, with joy of the Holy Ghost:" Again in 1 Thes. 2:14, "For ye, brethren, became followers [imitators] of the churches of God which in Judaea are in Christ Jesus: for ye also have suffered like things of your own countrymen, even as they have of the Jews:" Paul commends the Thessalonian believers because they had become imitators of him and those with him, as well as imitators of the churches in Judaea. But in four of the six occurrences of this phrase it is a command: “Become imitators of…” In Eph. 5:1, it is, “Become imitators of God.” In the other three, it is this command: “Become imitators of me.” 1 Cor. 4:16, "Wherefore I beseech you, be ye followers [become imitators] of me." 1 Cor. 11:1, "Be ye followers [become imitators] of me, even as I also am of Christ." Phil. 3:17, "Brethren, be followers [become imitators]together of me, and mark them which walk so as ye have us for an ensample." The only difference here in Phil. 3:17 is the addition of the little preposition in front of “imitators.” That’s where we get the “together.” This is not a command to individuals. Three weeks ago Jake reminded us that the letter to the Colossians was not written to an individual, but to a church. Paul emphasizes that truth here, when he tells them to join together in becoming imitators of him.

Does it sound like Paul was kind of arrogant? Would you feel comfortable saying to someone, “I want you to become an imitator of me. Be like me. Follow me.”? That used to really bother me. I twisted it until I had Paul saying, “When I follow Christ, follow me. When you can see that I am imitating Christ, then you imitate me.” Is that what he is saying? No. Rather, it is more like this: “Because I am imitating Christ, I urge you to imitate me.” All you have to do is read the context. When you read Phil. 3:4-14, you must conclude that Paul was following Jesus. You can see the same thing in I Cor. 11:1, where Paul says, “Be followers [become imitators] of me, as I also am of Christ.” Now look at the verses that come before it... "Whether therefore ye eat, or drink, or whatsoever ye do, do all to the glory of God. 32. Give none offence, neither to the Jews, nor to the Gentiles, nor to the church of God: 33. Even as I please all men in all things, not seeking mine own profit, but the profit of many, that they may be saved" (I Cor. 10:31-33). Paul was not asking them to become disciples of Paul. Rather, he was simply urging them to do exactly what he was doing.

So why didn’t Paul just say, “Become imitators of Jesus”? That is a really good question, and I confess I asked it for years before I saw the fallacy of my own thinking. On the one occasion, he did commend the Thessalonians for becoming imitators of the Lord, but even then it was “imitators of us and of the Lord” (I Thes. 2:14). Why the command to “Follow me”? It doesn’t take a genius to figure out the answer. People need a flesh-and-blood someone whom they can watch with their own eyes. “If you want me to be an imitator of Jesus, then please show me how Jesus lived.” It is one thing to tell people how Jesus lived; it is quite another to show them. Paul is humbly saying, “Watch me and you will learn how to imitate Jesus.” He has already stated in verses 12-14 that he has not attained perfection. Nevertheless, he is an imitator of Jesus Christ. When I refused to see the value of it, I was demonstrating a false humility. I was reluctant to ever ask anyone to follow me. In my professed piety, I would only tell people to follow Jesus. I was wrong.

Let’s be really clear on this, because you may be thinking, “I could never say to anyone, ‘Become an imitator of me.’” Why not? Are you imitating Jesus? Are you following Him? Are you living the kind of life that Jesus lived? Again, we’re not talking about perfection, but we are talking about genuine disciples of Jesus. A couple of weeks ago we suggested this definition of a disciple: a disciple is one who has been baptized and is seriously and consistently involved in learning to obey all that Jesus commanded. A disciple is becoming an imitator of Jesus Christ. If that describes your life, then you can with all humility say, “Become an imitator of me, because I am imitating Christ.”

We do need to be careful at this point, or we can get the wrong idea. The key is how we become imitators of Christ. If we aren’t careful, we can reduce Jesus to where He is no more than an example. That greatly distorts the truth of the New Testament. We are able to imitate Jesus only because He lives within us through His Spirit. It isn’t just a matter of knowledge and determination, but of relationship. As the Spirit of God works in us through the Word of God, we are being conformed to the image of the Son of God. Nevertheless, it is important that we be able to see the living example of those in whom this process is taking place. This is not a dry, mechanical imitation, but a life-changing demonstration of the very life of Jesus.

II. A Second Command that Gives Us Encouragement (3:17b)

Notice now the second command in verse 17, “…and mark them which walk so as ye have us for an ensample." The King James is kind of hard to grasp, so listen to it from the NASV, “…and observe those who walk according to the pattern you have in us.” The ESV reads, “…and keep your eyes on those who walk according to the example you have in us.” The NIV is similar: “…and take note of those who live according to the pattern we gave you.”

Notice the variety of translations of this command: mark, observe, keep your eyes on, take note. The most literal of those translations is “keep your eyes on.” The Greek word is skopew, from which we get our English word “scope.” The word literally means “to look at, examine, contemplate.” We found it back in Phil. 2:4, “Look not every man on his own things, but every man also on the things of others.” Paul also used it in 2 Cor. 4:18, "While we look not at the things which are seen, but at the things which are not seen: for the things which are seen are temporal; but the things which are not seen are eternal." But where it most parallels the usage here is in Rom. 16:17, "Now I beseech you, brethren, mark them which cause divisions and offences contrary to the doctrine which ye have learned; and avoid them." As here in Phil. 3:17, the King James translates this word “mark.” Do you see the idea? “Watch them who cause divisions and offenses. Keep an eye on them. Take note of them. Mark them in your mind so that you won’t forget who they are.” That’s the idea. Mark such people so that you can avoid them. So it is here in Phil. 3:17, except here it is a positive marking. There are certain people Paul wants them to notice, to examine, to scope out. But this time it is not so they can avoid them, but so they can follow them.

So who are these people Paul wants the Philippiains to examine and mark? Those who walk in this manner. In other words, those who are doing just what Paul has asked the Philippians to do -- become imitators of him. Verse 17 is not easy to translate, but it literally reads something like this: “Become joint imitators of me, brothers, and watch those who walk in this manner, just as you have us as a pattern.” “Walk” is that biblical word that refers to lifestyle. “Look for those who demonstrate that they are following me, even as I am following Christ. Both they and you can look at us as a pattern, an example, of how it ought to be done.” I can think of two people to whom Paul is referring here. He has already said much about them in chapter two. That’s right -- Timothy and Epaphroditus were among those who were living in that manner, following Paul’s example.

Here is what is encouraging about this second part of the verse. Paul is the pattern, but he is not alone. Read it again in the NASV, “…and observe those who walk according to the pattern you have in us.” Not “me,” but “us.” There are others who are joining Paul in setting the example. Furthermore, as they look, they will find still others who are living according this pattern. Brothers and sisters, this “become imitators of me” is not an invitation that can be spoken only by apostles. This is to be the simple and urgent command/invitation of all Jesus’ disciples.

Doesn’t this make sense? If a dad loves his son and is trying to teach him the right way, doesn’t he want his son to follow his steps? Dad doesn’t have to be perfect to have that desire. Moving from the spiritual to the more common, I must tell you that Tracy and I play a little racquetball. I have to confess that he beats me now, though I still win once in a while. Where did he learn to play? Well, he got himself a book on racquetball and studied carefully… No, he never read anything about racquetball; he learned from his dad. And how did I instruct him? Once in a while I gave him pointers, but mainly we just played. As we played, he learned from me. I wasn’t an expert, but I was the best he had ever seen, and I would have to say that he has done pretty well. If you want to use some muscles that haven’t been tested in a while, just play him for an hour.

Do you love the Lord Jesus Christ? Do you long to be like Him? Do you long to see others be like Him too? If you can’t answer those questions with a strong “Yes,” then the reason you can’t say to others, “Follow me” is because you are not following Christ. Don’t deceive yourself into thinking you are following Jesus, if you don’t have an intense longing to be like Him more every day. That is what a disciple is. As we live our lives in the Lord, we become imitators of what Paul (ultimately the Holy Spirit) tells us in the Word. And as we continue to become imitators of those who are following Jesus, we say to others, “Become imitators of me, because I am becoming an imitator of Jesus. Come along and follow me, as I follow Jesus.”

You say, “But what if I mess up? I have invited another to follow me, as I follow Christ, and then I really blow it and he sees it. What then?” I ask you, “What then?” “If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness” (I John 1:9). So if I blow it, I do what I always do when I blow it; I confess my sins. I say the same thing about my sin that God says, without any “but’s.” But how can I explain my sin to that man whom I have invited to imitate my life? “Listen, Tom, I’m sure you noticed that I lost my temper when that driver shook his fist at me. That was wrong. I asked the Lord to forgive me, and now I am asking you to forgive me. I set a bad example for you.” Through that experience, my friend has learned that I am not perfect. He has also learned that I don’t try to cover up my sin, but that I live openly and honestly. He realizes that there is hope for him and that he too can be forgiven when he blows it. Even though he isn’t perfect, he can invite others to follow him as he follows Christ.

III. The Sound Reasoning Behind These Commands (3:18-21)

Notice how verse 18 begins: “For,” or “because.” Now Paul is going to tell us why we should become imitators of him and mark out those who live according to the pattern he has laid out. In the remainder of this chapter Paul gives three reasons for this command.

First, “Because many walk, of whom I have told you often, and now tell you even weeping, that they are the enemies of the cross of Christ; Whose end is destruction, whose God is their belly, and whose glory is in their shame, who mind earthly things.” Let’s boil it down to the basic message and this is what is left: Many walk (live) as the enemies of the cross of Christ. Can you hear Paul? “I say to you, become imitators of me and mark out those who live like that, even as you have us for an example. I tell you to do this because there are many who will not live that kind of life. Instead, they are actually the enemies of the cross of Christ. Don’t be like them, but follow me and those in whom you see the pattern of Christ.”

Who are these enemies of the cross of Christ? At first glance, we might simply think they are the pagans in the world who never have any thought of God. However, that doesn’t fit the context very well. Remember how much time Paul has devoted in this chapter to the Judaizers, that group who held that believing in Christ was not enough, but in addition, a person had to put himself under all the Jewish laws. It is most likely he is either making reference to these Judaizers or to a group of false teachers referred to as “the libertines.” These taught that in the name of Christian freedom there was no moral restraint. In other words, the Christian was free to do whatever he wanted, because he was free in Christ. Paul would say that both of these were the enemies of the cross of Christ. It is possible that he had both of these in mind when he spoke of the enemies of the cross of Christ.

Notice four things about these enemies of the cross of Christ, these who were not becoming imitators of Paul. Their end is destruction. Before giving specifics, Paul tells us bluntly what their final outcome will be -- destruction. If they were Judaizers, then they were cut off from Christ because their trust was ultimately in their own ability to keep the law. If they were libertines, they demonstrated that had no understanding of the cross of Christ. The word translated “destruction” is the same word we find in Matt. 7:13, "Enter ye in at the strait gate: for wide is the gate, and broad is the way, that leadeth to destruction, and many there be which go in thereat." It is also the same word that is used to describe Judas Iscariot in John 17:12, "While I was with them in the world, I kept them in thy name: those that thou gavest me I have kept, and none of them is lost, but the son of perdition; that the scripture might be fulfilled." These enemies of the cross of Christ have no hope, if they continue in their current direction.

Their end is destruction and their god is their belly, their stomach. Again this might refer to such libertines as made their physical appetites their gods. On the other hand, we know that the Judaizers tried to force others to observe all kinds of rules concerning food and drink. In I Tim. 4:3 Paul speaks about these who command to abstain from meats.

Furthermore, their glory is in their shame. It is easy to see once again that this could refer to those who in the name of Christian freedom were slaves to their sensual appetites. Jeremiah spoke of just such people: "Were they ashamed when they had committed abomination? nay, they were not at all ashamed, neither could they blush: therefore they shall fall among them that fall: at the time that I visit them they shall be cast down, saith the LORD" (Jer. 6:15; same words again in Jer. 8:12). On the other hand, the reference could be to the circumcision of the Judaizers, who gloried in the flesh (Gal. 6:13).

Paul concludes with a summary statement about these enemies of the cross -- “who mind earthly things.” Literally, it is, “Who think on earthly things.” This is that word that we have talked about extensively in connection with the opening words of chapter 2. This is the same word that is used in Phil. 2:5, “Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus.” Literally, “Think this in yourselves, which also in Christ Jesus.” We are to think like Jesus, but these enemies of the cross were thinking on earthly things. Listen again to these words from Col. 3:2, “Set your affection (literally, “mind”) on things above, not on things on the earth.” It is this setting of the mind on earthly things that constitutes hostility toward the cross of Christ. Jesus died to set us free from thinking on earthly things and to lift our minds above, that we may increasingly think as He thinks.

Notice Paul’s attitude toward these enemies of the cross. If we aren’t careful, we will miss it. These strong terms in verse 19 might lead us to believe that Paul can blast these enemies of the cross without any concern for them. But go back to verse 18, “For many walk, of whom I have told you often, and now tell you even weeping, that they are the enemies of the cross of Christ.” Paul couldn’t speak to the Philippians about these enemies of the cross without crying over them. Their actions and attitudes grieved Paul deeply. He longed to see them turn from their wicked ways and truly come to the cross of Jesus.

There is a second reason we are to become imitators of Paul and those who followed his example. What is that second reason? It is simply this: We live in heaven. Look at verse 20, “For our conversation is in heaven.” We have mentioned this before, but let me refresh our memory. That word which the King James translates as conversation is very literally “citizenship.” It is found only here in the New Testament, but the verbal form of the word occurs in two other places, including Phil. 1:27, "Only let your conversation be as it becometh the gospel of Christ…" The Amplified has a more literal translation: “Only be sure as citizens so to conduct yourselves [that] your manner of life [will be] worthy of the god news (the gospel) of Christ…” Our citizenship is in heaven, and we are commanded to represent that citizenship by living lives worthy of the gospel.

As I have mentioned before, Philippi was a Roman colony, making its residents citizens of Rome. This was seen as a great privilege and responsibility. They valued all the rights and privileges that came with Roman citizenship. A couple of months ago we were discussing this matter of Paul’s citizenship. A brother reminded me that although Paul doesn’t use the word “citizen,” he openly talks about the fact that he was a Roman. Yes, he was claiming Roman citizenship (see Acts 16:20-40; 22:24-30). But now he tells the Philippians that their citizenship and his citizenship is in heaven. Nevertheless, there is a great difference in emphasis. Paul claimed his Roman citizenship when such a claim furthered the gospel, but his focus was clearly on his and our heavenly citizenship. He never directly challenged people to live worthy of their Roman (or any other earthly) citizenship, but he did issue that challenge to the citizens of heaven (Phil. 1:27).

While it would be technically correct to say that the Christian has dual citizenship, that is not the emphasis of the New Testament. Rather, the focus is on the truth that we are strangers and pilgrims in this world (I Pet. 2:11) and that our true and enduring citizenship is in heaven. “This world is not my home; I’m just a passing through…” As Paul says in Eph. 2:6, God has seated us in the heavenly places in Christ Jesus. Jesus is preparing us a place there, that where He is we may be also (John 14:1-3). We are seated there; our thoughts are there; our home is there.

Notice the contrast here. The enemies of the cross of Christ think on earthly things, but our citizenship is in heaven. That is why we can obey the command to seek those things which are above, where Christ sits on the right hand of God, to set our mind on thing above and not on things on the earth (Col. 3:1-2). Just go to that very next verse in Colossians 3: “For you died, and life is hidden with Christ in God” (Col. 3:3).

Suppose you go to France. That might be really exciting. You get to see Paris and the Eifel Tower and all those things you have only read about. But let’s face it--all the while you are there, you are always aware that you don’t belong in France. Regardless of how long your vacation is, you know you will be returning to the place where you belong, where your citizenship is. So it is with those of us who are citizens of heaven. There is a real sense in which our life is in heaven.

Not only do we live in heaven, but we long for heaven. Why? Because of the streets of gold? Because of the pearly gates? All that will be nice, but let’s read again what Paul says in verse 20, “For our citizenship is in heaven, from whence also we look for the Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ.” Above all else, the glory of heaven is found in our Lord. As the song says…

As I entered the gates of that city, all my loved ones knew me well,

As we walked down the street that they call glory, all the sights were too many to tell,

I saw Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, I talked with Mark, and Timothy,

But I said, “I still want to see Jesus, He's the one who died for me.

I believe it is safe to say that in our day this longing for heaven isn’t as real as for many saints in the past. It doesn’t take a genius to figure out why. As we prosper in this world, we tend to become at home here and the sense of our heavenly citizenship is dulled. If that isn’t true of you, praise God, but I confess that I have that tendency to settle down too much in the present world. So what do we do about it? We set our eyes on Jesus, as we read and think on God’s precious Word. We exhort one another day by day: “Brother, have you been longing to see our Lord face to face?” If that sounds strange to our ears, then we need to re-evaluate the way we relate to one another.

And when we see Jesus, what He is going to do? Phil. 3:21, "Who shall change our vile body, that it may be fashioned like unto his glorious body, according to the working whereby he is able even to subdue all things unto himself." The way the word “vile” is used today does not communicate the idea here. The NASV renders it: “who will transform the body of our humble state into conformity with the body of His glory…” The NIV: “who… will transform our lowly bodies so that they will be like his glorious body.” This word does indeed speak of a low estate, of humiliation. Paul used the verbal form of this word in Phil. 2:8, "And being found in fashion as a man, he humbled himself, and became obedient unto death, even the death of the cross." Jesus Himself took on a lowly body for a time, but praise God He doesn’t have that body any longer. Now He has a glorified body, and the promise is that He will take these lowly bodies of ours and transform them in such a way that they will become like His glorious body! Praise God!

But how is the Lord Jesus able to do such a thing? Does He take into consideration how these bodies have deteriorated over the years? Paul tells us how Jesus is able to do such a mighty miracle. He will do it “according to the working by which He is able to subdue all things to Himself.” Jesus is the one who ultimately will bring everything under His control. It will be no chore for Him to transform these lowly bodies to be like His glorious body. I am not going to describe that body, because Brother Fountain gave a beautiful description four weeks ago. If you didn’t hear the sermon, get the CD from July 25 and listen to it.

Conclusion

Think about it. Here is a man of flesh and blood who said to the believers he loved, “Join together to become imitators of me and watch for those who live after the example I have set.” Let’s praise God for brothers and sisters who serve as examples. They are not perfect, but they unquestionably are following Jesus and long for more of Him. Paul was that sort of man, but he wasn’t alone. We can read the words of Paul, but we can actually rub shoulders with flesh-and-blood brothers and sisters who set that kind of example.

As you think about that, don’t forget this. If you are a disciple of Jesus Christ, you too can invite others to be imitators of you. Why? Because you are not like the enemies of the cross, whose end is destruction and whose mind is set on earthly things. Instead, you are living as a citizen of heaven and longing for the return of our Lord Jesus.

Immediately, someone is going to say, “I am a child of God, but I’m not qualified to invite others to become imitators of me.” Why not? Let’s ask ourselves that question: Why am I not able to invite people to follow me? Is it because I am not seriously and consistently involved in learning to obey all that Jesus commanded? Is it because I can’t say that my great desire is to be conformed to the image of Jesus and bring Him glory? Those are the questions we must ask. It’s not about perfection. Paul himself has just told them that he has not attained perfection. It’s about following Jesus and marking out others who follow His example.

Ultimately, it all goes back to one example, the example of Jesus Christ. But may we never forget that He is far more than an example. Jesus is life itself. “In the beginning the Word was with God and the Word was God…” (John 1:1). Wow! What privilege to be equal with the Father, to have been with Him for all eternity past. But “the Word was made flesh and dwelt among us, and we have seen His glory…” (John 1:14). That same Jesus who was equal to the Father took upon Himself the form of a servant and was made in the likeness of men. God didn’t yell at us from heaven; He became one of us and lived on this earth as a man. And as a man, He humbled Himself and became obedient to death, even death on a cross (see Phil. 2:6-8). But why would God do such a thing? Because that was the way He chose to rescue us from our sin for His glory. “Herein is love, not that we loved God, but that He loved us and sent His Son to be the propitiation for our sins” (I John 4:10). God made Jesus to be sin for us, that we might be made the righteousness of God in Him (II Cor. 5:21). Praise God that the Jesus who died on the cross rose from the grave as Lord over all. We deserved nothing but death an hell, because we rebelled against God and opposed Him at every turn. In exchange for our sin, He offers His life to those who will fall down before Him in repentance and surrender to Him as Lord of all.

In light of what God has done in Christ, how can we do anything but bow before Him in awe and reverence and deep gratitude?

Count the Cost -- 8/22/10

Sunday, August 22, 2010

COUNT THE COST

Last week we looked at Matt. 28:18-20, "And Jesus came and spake unto them, saying, All power is given unto me in heaven and in earth. 19. Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost: 20. Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you alway, even unto the end of the world. Amen." Today we are going to look into more about what it means to be a disciple of Jesus.

Here’s the question we want to consider: What does it cost to follow Jesus? We might say, “It doesn’t cost us anything to follow Jesus. Jesus paid it all when He died on the cross. To say there is a cost for us is to make salvation a matter of works. But we know that salvation is by grace though faith, and not of works, lest any man should boast (Eph. 2:8-9). Surely Jesus paid the only cost. All we do is trust Jesus.” That statement is absolutely true. However, we must define what it means to trust Jesus. “But Pastor, that’s the problem. We’re always defining things. We need to just look at the simple gospel. Jesus meant what He said; we don’t have to add anything to it.”

Please hear me. There is great danger in defining things, because often we define things in order to explain away the clear commands of scripture. However, what we must understand is that our religious culture has been redefining the gospel for over a century in order to make it more comfortable for modern man. Our modern religion has popularized a system which has given us a wrong definition of the gospel. If we are going to truly follow Jesus, we must come to Him and hear what He Himself says about the gospel.

Let me put it this way: Even in His own day, Jesus found it necessary to define the gospel. Yes, He said, “Repent and believe the gospel,” (Mark 1:15), but that isn’t all He said. Listen to these words of Jesus: “Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that believeth on me hath everlasting life” (John 6:47). What could be clearer than that? Believe on Jesus, and you have eternal life. If we give those words to people, will they not understand what they mean? As a matter of fact, most people around us will not understand those words from Jesus. Most often they are interpreted to mean something like this: “Just put your trust in Jesus, who died on the cross for your sins. Confess that you believe. That’s all there is to it.” Really, that is absolutely true. But how do we account for the millions of people in our society who say they have put their trust in Jesus but who live just like the rest of the world? Does trust in Jesus guarantee a person a place in heaven, even if his life on earth remains unchanged? Is that what Jesus taught?

Please turn to John 6:47, that verse we just read. Here’s the bottom line -- Jesus saw the need to explain what He meant even to those people to whom He spoke. Even they didn’t understand what He meant by “believe.” Go back to John 2:23-25, "Now when he was in Jerusalem at the passover, in the feast day, many believed in his name, when they saw the miracles which he did. 24. But Jesus did not commit himself unto them, because he knew all men, 25. And needed not that any should testify of man: for he knew what was in man." We are told they believed, but the context makes it clear that it was not genuine saving faith. The belief described here in chapter 2 is a far cry from Thomas’ response when Jesus said, “Be not faithless, but believing” (John 20:27). Thomas said, “My Lord and my God.”

Let’s read John 6:47-58…

Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that believeth on me hath everlasting life. 48. I am that bread of life. 49. Your fathers did eat manna in the wilderness, and are dead. 50. This is the bread which cometh down from heaven, that a man may eat thereof, and not die. 51. I am the living bread which came down from heaven: if any man eat of this bread, he shall live for ever: and the bread that I will give is my flesh, which I will give for the life of the world. 52. The Jews therefore strove among themselves, saying, How can this man give us his flesh to eat? 53. Then Jesus said unto them, Verily, verily, I say unto you, Except ye eat the flesh of the Son of man, and drink his blood, ye have no life in you. 54. Whoso eateth my flesh, and drinketh my blood, hath eternal life; and I will raise him up at the last day. 55. For my flesh is meat indeed, and my blood is drink indeed. 56. He that eateth my flesh, and drinketh my blood, dwelleth in me, and I in him. 57. As the living Father hath sent me, and I live by the Father: so he that eateth me, even he shall live by me. 58. This is that bread which came down from heaven: not as your fathers did eat manna, and are dead: he that eateth of this bread shall live for ever.

Do you understand? In the verses up through verse 47, Jesus talked about believing, but in verses 48 through 58 He doesn’t use the word “believe” a single time. Yet it is clear that He is still talking about eternal life. What are the words in verses 48-58 that replace the word “believe” from verse 47 and the earlier verses? “Eat” and “drink.” Jesus wanted them to know that to believe in Him was not a matter of giving mental assent to certain truths. Rather, it was to actually take Him into themselves, as when a person eats and drinks. Jesus said that if a person doesn’t eat His flesh and drink His blood, he doesn’t have life (eternal life). Clearly, they had trouble understanding this. In verse 54, Jesus actually changes the word that is translated “eat.” It is no longer the normal word for “eat,” but now it is the word that means “to chew on.” He also changes the tense of the verb, so that it no longer means eating at a point in time, but to a continual chewing on. When you truly believe on Jesus, you eat Him. By a miracle of God, He becomes a part of you. And then as a result, you continually chew on Him for the rest of your life. In short, He becomes your life. Let no one miss the implications of this passage -- if this eating and continual chewing on Jesus doesn’t take place, then there is no genuine belief and no eternal life. The point is simple. We must let Jesus Himself define repentance and belief. We can’t just take a couple of verses and ignore the other things that Jesus said (such as we read in this passage).

So let’s investigate some passages where Jesus urges people to count the cost of following Him.

Matthew 16:24-25

Do you remember a man named Peter? Certainly, we do, because Peter tended to be a man who made himself known. Go back to that day when Jesus said to His apostles, “Whom do men say I am?” After they told Him what different people were saying about Him, Jesus then asked, “What about you guys? Whom do you say I am?” You remember that Peter was the one who answered for the group: “You are the Christ, the Son of the living God.” Jesus commended Peter for his answer, only reminding Peter that it was the Father who had made that truth known to Him.

Immediately after that incident, we read these words in Matt. 16:21-23…

From that time forth began Jesus to show unto his disciples, how that he must go unto Jerusalem, and suffer many things of the elders and chief priests and scribes, and be killed, and be raised again the third day. 22. Then Peter took him, and began to rebuke him, saying, Be it far from thee, Lord: this shall not be unto thee. 23. But he turned, and said unto Peter, Get thee behind me, Satan: thou art an offence unto me: for thou savourest [set your mind on] not the things that be of God, but those that be of men.

Did Peter believe on the Lord Jesus? He certainly thought he did. After all, he had just stated what we call “the great confession,” saying that Jesus was indeed the Messiah, the Son of the living God. But Jesus found it necessary to rebuke Peter. Peter did not yet understand what it meant to believe on Jesus. The Lord needed to dispel some false concepts Peter had. Peter couldn’t grasp the idea that Jesus would die.

It is in that context that we come to the words of verses 24-25. Now Jesus expands His conversation with Peter to include one and all. Notice the word “any.” Let’s read Matt. 16:24-25…

Then said Jesus unto his disciples, If any man will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow me. 25. For whosoever will save his life shall lose it: and whosoever will lose his life for my sake shall find it.

Don’t be confused by the “will” of the King James, as the word was used differently 400 years ago. Jesus said, “If anyone wants/desires to come after me.” Do you want to be a disciple of Jesus? Then here are the requirements. There are three of them, though they are so closely related that they can hardly be separated. First, “Let him deny himself.”

Do you see why we need to let Jesus define His gospel so that there will be no misunderstanding. Modern man has redefined it to say man needs to love himself, protect himself, feel good about himself. Some so-called Christian counselors would have us believe that a person must learn to love himself before he can love his neighbor. Self-esteem has become the key to mental, emotional, and spiritual health, and much of the professing church has bought into it completely. You can’t get any of that from Jesus, because He said, “Let a person deny himself” -- not love himself, but deny himself. You can’t harmonize loving self with denying self; they are mutually exclusive.

But what does it mean to deny self? It means that self is no longer the center of life. Personal desires have been replaced by the Lord’s agenda. Perhaps the best way to explain denying self is to read Gal. 2:20, "I am crucified with Christ: nevertheless I live; yet not I, but Christ liveth in me: and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by the faith of the Son of God, who loved me, and gave himself for me." To deny self is to recognize that you have been bought with a price and that you no longer belong to yourself. 1 Cor. 6:19-20, "What? know ye not that your body is the temple of the Holy Ghost which is in you, which ye have of God, and ye are not your own? 20. For ye are bought with a price: therefore glorify God in your body, and in your spirit, which are God's."

Jesus doesn’t stop there. “If anyone wants to come after me, let him deny himself, take up his cross.” Jesus was not talking about the physical act of carrying around a wooden cross. He was giving a graphic picture of what it is like to be His disciple. The cross meant one thing; it meant death, a shameful and painful death. To come to Christ means to die. Jesus is saying to Peter, “Peter, not only must I die, but you too must die.” Some people say things like, “Yes, this disease I have is the cross I have to bear.” No, that is not the cross that Jesus is talking about. Jesus is talking about death to self, about dying with Jesus. Don’t let anyone tell you that you can have resurrection life without dying first.

And finally Jesus says, “And follow me.” Literally, “keep on following me.” It is impossible to believe on Jesus and keep going your own way. Jesus died to deliver us from going our own way. That going our own way is a definition of sin itself. Is. 53:6, “All we like sheep have gone astray; we have turned everyone to his own way.” When we believe on Jesus, He rescues us from pursuing our own path. Once we are His, we are on the narrow road, but the road which leads to life (Matt. 7:14).

It is tragically ironic that in our day we can talk about being a Christian without following Jesus. Isn’t that crazy? I know I am a real stickler at this point, but I try to insist that we talk about following Jesus instead of “accepting Jesus.” He didn’t say, “Deny yourself, take up your cross, and accept me;” Jesus said, “Follow me.” Suppose you talk about “accepting Jesus Christ as Savior.” (By the way, that terminology is nowhere used in the scripture.) When you speak that way, what you mean may be very sound, but I assure you that many people to whom you speak will not understand it that way. The way “accept Jesus” is used in our day, it speaks of a one-time decision that a person makes to settle things for all eternity, regardless of how he lives in the future. Far better to speak of the a denial and death to self. Then the person who has denied himself and taken up the cross of death continually follows Jesus.

Now come to the very next verse, Matt. 16:25, "For whosoever will [wants to] save his life shall lose it: and whosoever will lose his life for my sake shall find it." Cling to your life, and you will lose it. Lay it down by denying yourself and dying with Jesus and you will find it. In the words of John 12:25, hate your life in this world and you will keep it for eternal life.

Luke 14:25-33

Let’s come to the classic passage about counting the cost. Let’s read Luke 14:25-33…

And there went great multitudes with him: and he turned, and said unto them, 26. If any man come to me, and hate not his father, and mother, and wife, and children, and brethren, and sisters, yea, and his own life also, he cannot be my disciple. 27. And whosoever doth not bear his cross, and come after me, cannot be my disciple. 28. For which of you, intending to build a tower, sitteth not down first, and counteth the cost, whether he have sufficient to finish it? 29. Lest haply, after he hath laid the foundation, and is not able to finish it, all that behold 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, sitteth not down first, and consulteth whether he be able with ten thousand to meet him that cometh against him with twenty thousand? 32. Or else, while the other is yet a great way off, he sendeth an ambassage, and desireth conditions of peace. 33. So likewise, whosoever he be of you that forsaketh not all that he hath, he cannot be my disciple.

This passage is especially significant because of the words of verse 25, “And there went great multitudes with him; and he turned and said to them…” Jesus was being overwhelmed by the crowds who were following Him. From the outside, it might look as if people were recognizing Him for who He was and were ready to repent and believe. Surely all Jesus needed to do was to say, “Just bow your head and pray this prayer, and you will have eternal life.” That’s not what He says. Instead, He drops a bomb on them. If I may summarize Jesus’ message, it is simply this: “Before you try to follow me, you better count the cost. There is a cost involved.”

So what is the cost? Jesus explains it carefully and concisely. In verse 27, Jesus basically repeats what we read in Matt. 16:24. He tells them that in order to be His disciple, they must bear the cross and come after Him. If you are thinking that taking up the cross seems really important as a requirement for following Jesus, you are definitely getting the picture. The fact that Jesus repeats this often ought to cause us to take careful note.

In verses 28-32 Jesus uses two illustrations to drive home his point. He speaks of building a tower and then of going to war. A tower is a significant structure and it takes some thought. You don’t just go out and start on it without considering if you are going to be able to bring it to completion. Do you have the money to buy all the materials? If not, you better wait until you do. Going to war is even more serious. By the way, the New Testament repeatedly speaks of the Christian as a soldier in the Lord’s army. Here in this illustration, Jesus makes the point that a king doesn’t lead his army into battle until he has considered the cost. Will he be able to defeat that strong enemy who has more troops than he does? If not, he better wait a while before entering the war. Following Jesus is far more significant than building a tower or even going to war. “You people have come out here to follow me, but are you sure what that is going to demand? Like the builder and the king considering war, you better count the cost first.”

You probably noticed that we haven’t yet considered verse 26. While Jesus speaks of bearing the cross and following Him, as He did back in Matt. 16, now He adds a much more specific consideration. Let’s read it again in verse 26, "If any man come to me, and hate not his father, and mother, and wife, and children, and brethren, and sisters, yea, and his own life also, he cannot be my disciple." If you don’t hate your family and yourself, you cannot be my disciple.

Let’s be honest. That gives us some trouble. Even if we get a handle on hating our own life in this world (as in John 12:25), how can we even think about hating our wife and children? Doesn’t the scripture tell a man to love his wife? As we think about this, it is impossible to ignore what Jesus said in Matthew 10. Since this is another passage about counting the cost of being Jesus’ disciple, let’s read it in Matt. 10:32-39…

Whosoever therefore shall confess me before men, him will I confess also before my Father which is in heaven. 33. But whosoever shall deny me before men, him will I also deny before my Father which is in heaven. 34. Think not that I am come to send peace on earth: I came not to send peace, but a sword. 35. For I am come to set a man at variance against his father, and the daughter against her mother, and the daughter in law against her mother in law. 36. And a man's foes shall be they of his own household. 37. He that loveth father or mother more than me is not worthy of me: and he that loveth son or daughter more than me is not worthy of me. 38. And he that taketh not his cross, and followeth after me, is not worthy of me. 39. He that findeth his life shall lose it: and he that loseth his life for my sake shall find it.

On this occasion, Jesus says that if a person doesn’t love Him more than his own family, he is not worthy to be His disciple. We can understand that much better than the idea of hating out family. When we consider both of these passages, it seems clear that Jesus is saying something like this: “The love you have for me must be so much greater than the love you have for your own family, that in comparison your love for family will seem like hatred.”

I believe that is what Jesus is saying, but there is a great, great danger here. “Oh, that’s what Jesus means. He just means that I need to love Him more than my family. Okay. No problem.” You must deal with this question: “Why did Jesus say that if we do not hate even those dearest ones of our family, we cannot be His disciple? Why didn’t He just leave it at loving Him more than family?” Jesus knew His hearers then and His hearers now. If we just hear that we are to love Him more than family, we don’t consider it any big deal. But when we hear Him tell us we must hate our family, that gets our attention. That is exactly what Jesus wanted to do -- get their attention.

If we read this passage in Matthew 10 carefully, we begin to see that loving Jesus more than family is not such a small deal either. Verse 34, “Don’t think I came to send peace on the earth; I didn’t come to send peace, but a sword. I have come to set a man against his father and a daughter against her mother.” Wow! I thought Jesus was the Prince of Peace. What’s all this division about? Jesus came to make peace between a man and God, not necessarily between family members. Consider a husband and wife. The wife is reconciled to God through Jesus Christ, but her husband divorces her as a result. That’s what Jesus is talking about. A Muslim young woman becomes a follower of Jesus and her parents beat her severely in order to persuade her to reject Christ and return to Islam.

Here’s our problem. We in this society have made the family an idol and we don’t even realize it. Yes, a man is to love his wife. Parents are to love their children. How? With the love that comes from the Lord Himself. That is the only way we can love them properly. But where is the kind of love for Christ that makes love for family seem like hatred. We know very little of that. We have very little understanding of Matt. 12:46-50…

While he yet talked to the people, behold, his mother and his brethren stood without, desiring to speak with him. 47. Then one said unto him, Behold, thy mother and thy brethren stand without, desiring to speak with thee. 48. But he answered and said unto him that told him, Who is my mother? and who are my brethren? 49. And he stretched forth his hand toward his disciples, and said, Behold my mother and my brethren! 50. For whosoever shall do the will of my Father which is in heaven, the same is my brother, and sister, and mother.

When we are honest, many of us have to admit that Jesus’ actions seem rather cold. How could He be so uncaring about His own mother? We don’t get it. Jesus loved His mother and brothers, but He refused to stop teaching the truth of God in order to meet their request to see Him. He valued His mother and brothers, but His real family was made up of those who do the will of the Father in heaven. In comparison with doing the will of the Father, Jesus hated his mother and brothers.

When it becomes a conflict between doing the will of the Father and pleasing family, which do you do? You say, “There is no conflict.” That’s because our idolatry has blinded us to the conflict. I’m not saying we will encounter this conflict every day or ever week, but such conflict will come. Remember Abraham. God tested him to reveal his true love. Did he love God more than he loved his precious son Isaac, who was a gift from God? Yes. Abraham passed the test.

We must count the cost. Are we willing to receive the sword that comes with following Jesus? Young person. Suppose you knew that if you follow Jesus, your parents would turn their back on you and hate you. Would you still follow Jesus? If not, then you cannot be His disciple.

On the other end of Jesus’ two illustrations about counting the cost are these words in Luke 14:33, “So likewise, whosoever he be of you that forsaketh not all that he hath, he cannot be my disciple.” Jesus sums it all up. He calls us to forsake everything in order to be His disciple -- family, self, and everything else. A true disciple of Jesus can’t continue to value the things he valued before coming to the Lord.

Luke 12:21

Let’s look quickly at one other passage. Let me just read it from Luke 12:13-21…

And one of the company said unto him, Master, speak to my brother, that he divide the inheritance with me. 14. And he said unto him, Man, who made me a judge or a divider over you? 15. And he said unto them, Take heed, and beware of covetousness: for a man's life consisteth not in the abundance of the things which he possesseth. 16. And he spake a parable unto them, saying, The ground of a certain rich man brought forth plentifully: 17. And he thought within himself, saying, What shall I do, because I have no room where to bestow my fruits? 18. And he said, This will I do: I will pull down my barns, and build greater; and there will I bestow all my fruits and my goods. 19. And I will say to my soul, Soul, thou hast much goods laid up for many years; take thine ease, eat, drink, and be merry. 20. But God said unto him, Thou fool, this night thy soul shall be required of thee: then whose shall those things be, which thou hast provided? 21. So is he that layeth up treasure for himself, and is not rich toward God.

The rich man was a fool. That’s what Jesus called him. Why was he a fool? Because he laid up treasure on earth, where moth and rust will corrupt and thieves can break through and steal. All the treasure we can lay up on earth is going to pass away. I doubt any of us would disagree that this rich man was a fool. However, I want you to notice the last verse, verse 21, “So is he that layeth up treasure for himself, and is not rich toward God.” Notice that word “so.” Jesus is now going to throw many other people into the same category as this foolish man. The NIV brings it out clearly: “This is how it will be with anyone who stores up things for himself but is not rich toward God.” Bluntly, if you store up things for yourself and are not rich toward God, you are a fool. It doesn’t matter if you profess Christ, claiming to be a child of God. If you store up for yourself and are not rich toward God, you are as big a fool as this man.

We can’t miss the contrast between storing up for self and being rich toward God. You might take Jesus’ words to mean, “Well, it’s okay to store up for self, as long as you are still rich toward God.” No, that is not what He is saying. How do I know? Because of the larger context of scripture, because of the things Jesus says over and over. “Lay not up for yourselves treasure on earth… but lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven… for where your treasure is, there will your heart be also” (Matt. 6:19-21). “You cannot serve God and mammon [money]” (Matt. 6:24). We will become rich toward God only when we quit storing up for self.

There are various ways of storing up for self. For some, it consists of buying lots of things to try to bring satisfaction. But for many of us, that is not the temptation. The temptation is to store up so that we can have security, so that if bad times come, we will have plenty to see us through. Do you notice that this is exactly what the rich fool was doing? The reason he thought he could eat, drink, and be merry was because he thought he had enough stored up that nothing could touch him. So he thought. May God deliver us from the idolatry of seeking security!

Now we get a little restless. We want to ask questions about how much is enough. No, I don’t have all the answers. But this I know -- when Jesus truly becomes our focus, our attitude toward possessions changes, “for a man’s life does not consist in the abundance of the things which he possesses” (Lk. 12:15).

Back to Luke 14:33, “So likewise, whosoever he be of you that forsaketh not all that he hath, he cannot be my disciple.” Jesus calls us to forsake all -- self, family, comfort, stuff, All.

Now I need to say a very quick word about being a disciple of Jesus. I am well aware there are those who teach that you have to count the cost to be a disciple of Jesus, but it is not necessary for a Christian to be a disciple. In other words, being a Christian and being a disciple are two different things. A person can believe on the Lord Jesus and thus become a child of God, but he can later decide whether or not he will be a disciple. Brothers and sisters, friends, that’s a lie. You can’t get that from the teachings of Jesus. When he spoke to the great crowds in Luke 14:25ff, He was speaking to people who were considering following Him. He was not speaking to a group of believers who were thinking about taking on something additional called being a disciple. Don’t be deceived.

Conclusion

There is a cost to being a follower of Jesus. So when we boil it all down, what will it cost you to follow Jesus? Everything. That’s what Jesus said. Can anyone deny that? Jesus said that if we don’t forsake all, we cannot be His disciples. You say, “I haven’t forsaken all, and yet I am a disciple of Jesus.” Here is the question you must answer: “Are you interpreting your experience in light of what Jesus said? Or, do you interpret what Jesus said in light of your experience?” You say, “But look around. Just look at the hundreds and thousands of Christians around us. They haven’t forsaken all.” I say, “Don’t look at those around you; look at Jesus and what He said, for Jesus said that His words are spirit and life.” Don’t trust what you think; trust what Jesus said.

So am I talking about works salvation? Not at all. It is only when the Spirit of God works from the inside out that a person is able to be rich toward God and forsake the earthly treasure. It was when Jesus got hold of Paul by the power of the Spirit that Paul counted all his treasure as rubbish and gave Jesus supreme value. He is still doing the same in lives today. Is He doing it in yours?

Now I leave you with this two questions. The first is this: If I follow Jesus, what do I get out of it? You get the treasure, the Lord Jesus Himself. When we have Jesus, nothing else matters. How can we talk about giving up anything, when we understand that Jesus is the treasure? In your bulletin today, you will find this quote from Jim Elliot: “He is no fool who gives what he cannot keep to gain that which he cannot lose.” Those words aren’t found in scripture, but they accurately reflect the teaching of Jesus.

The second question is this: What is the cost of not following it Jesus? If you do not follow Jesus in truth, what will it end up costing you? It will cost you everything. “For what is a man profited, if he shall gain the whole world and lose his own soul? Or what shall a man give in exchange for his soul?” (Matt. 16:26). The Bible tells us that it is appointed unto man once to die and then the judgment (Heb. 9:27). If you are not one of Jesus’ true disciples, you will hear Him say, “I never knew you; depart from me, ye who work iniquity” (Matt. 7:23). But Lord, I asked you to be my Savior. I went to church and read the Bible. I did many good things. Read that passage that is much like Matthew 7; it is Luke 13:24-27…

Strive to enter in at the strait gate: for many, I say unto you, will seek to enter in, and shall not be able. 25. When once the master of the house is risen up, and hath shut to the door, and ye begin to stand without, and to knock at the door, saying, Lord, Lord, open unto us; and he shall answer and say unto you, I know you not whence ye are: 26. Then shall ye begin to say, We have eaten and drunk in thy presence, and thou hast taught in our streets. 27. But he shall say, I tell you, I know you not whence ye are; depart from me, all ye workers of iniquity.

Someone has said: “Sin will take you farther than you wanted to go, keep you longer than you wanted to stay, and cost you far more than you wanted to pay.” Believe it. Jesus told of a rich man who lived in luxury in this life, but after this life was over, he was in torment in hell. His sin cost him far more than he wanted to pay.

But praise God that there is a Savior. 1 John 4:10, "Herein is love, not that we loved God, but that he loved us, and sent his Son to be the propitiation for our sins." “But God commended his love toward us, in that while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us” (Rom. 5:8). “The Lord has laid on him the iniquity of us all” (Is. 53:6). "For he hath made him to be sin for us, who knew no sin; that we might be made the righteousness of God in him" (2 Cor. 5:21). “Whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved” (Rom. 10:13).

Perhaps you look at all this and say, “I want to go to heaven, but I’m just not sure I can forsake all for Jesus.” Or maybe you claim to be a Christian, but you have to say, “I’m not sure I meet the demands Jesus lays down.” Listen to me. Here is the good news! The key is seeing Jesus for who He really is! During the last couple of months we have kept coming back to that little parable that Jesus told. Matt. 13:44, "Again, the kingdom of heaven is like unto treasure hid in a field; the which when a man hath found, he hideth, and for joy thereof goeth and selleth all that he hath, and buyeth that field." Jesus is the only true treasure in life. When you see Jesus as the treasure, you will no longer value anything else in comparison to Him.