God’s Saving Enmity
Part 35
MID-WEEK MANNA FROM PASTOR NAT’S DESK:
September 13, 2023
God’s Saving Enmity
Part 35
COUNT THE COST OF THE ENMITY AND DISCIPLESHIP
Luke 14:25-33:
“And there went a great multitude with Him [Jesus]: and He turned, and said unto them, ‘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. And whosoever does not BEAR HIS CROSS, and come after Me, CANNOT be My disciple. And which of you intending to build a tower, sitteth not down first, and COUNTETH THE COST, whether he hath sufficient to finish it? . . . . So likewise, whosoever be of you that FORSAKETH NOT all that he hath, he CANNOT BE MY DISCIPLE.” KJV. (cf. Luke 9:23-26).
“The Lord does not deceive His soldiers. He opens before them the CONFLICT, presents the BATTLE PLAN, points out the HAZARDOUS UNDERTAKING, and exhorts everyone to COUNT THE COST. He does not leave them in ignorance. He tells everyone BEFORE ENLISTMENT, to count the cost before they enlist as soldiers in His army, for the soldier’s life is a LIFE OF DUTY [not ease and pleasure].” -E. G. White, MS 98, Aug. 4, 1900.
The Cost of Being a Wholehearted Follower of Christ:
“The word of God is plain, but often there is an ERROR in applying it to oneself. There is a liability to SELF-DECEPTION and to think that its warnings and reproofs DO NOT MEAN ME. ‘The heart is deceitful above all things, and desperately wicked: who can know it?’ [Jer. -17:9, 10]. SELF-FLATTERY may be construed into Christian emotion and zeal. SELF-LOVE AND CONFIDENCE may give us assurance that we are right when we are FAR from meeting the requirements of God’s Word.
“The Bible is full, clear and explicit; the CHARACTER of the true disciple of Christ is marked out with exactness. We must search the Scriptures, with humble hearts, trembling at the Word of God, IF WE WOULD NOT BE IN ANY WAY DECEIVED IN REGARD TO OUR TRUE CHARACTERS.
“There must be persevering effort to overcome SELFISHNESS and SELF-CONFIDENCE. Self-examination [introspection] must be thorough, that there be no danger of SELF-DECEPTION. A little catechizing of self on special occasions [such as altar calls in church, etc.] is NOT sufficient. DAILY examine the foundation of your hope, and see whether you are indeed in the LOVE OF CHRIST[not self].
Deal truly with your own hearts, for you cannot afford to run ANY RISK here. COUNT THE COST of being wholehearted Christian, and then gird on the armor [of Christ’s righteousness].” -Ibid, Testimonies, vol. 5, p. 322.
To be continued next MWM, God willing. Bless all, NMF.