True Discipleship Means No Alternatives

I find choosing a paint color a little frustrating because there are just too many options. I ate in a foreign restaurant where I had a choice of meat but no option for the side dishes. When it came to the side dishes, you either ate them or left them.  Of course, I usually ate them!

When it comes to being a true disciple of Jesus Christ, why do some folks think they have options?

In the New Testament those who were called to follow Jesus had only two options, to follow or not. There was a man who wanted to follow Jesus but he wanted to wait until his father died, then follow. He told Jesus, “Lord, let me first go and bury my father. / But Jesus said to him, “Follow Me, and let the dead bury their own dead” (Matt. 8:21-22).

After Lazarus had died, Jesus told his disciples that they were going to Bethany near Jerusalem. His disciples were concerned about their safety because of the opposition in Jerusalem. Thomas said, “Let us also go, that we may die with Him” (John 11:16 NKJV).  He basically said, “We must follow Him even if it means death.”

Some live as if Christianity is a buffet of choices. They act as though the basic tenets of being a disciple are optional. Are church attendance, studying the Word of God, praying, giving, and being obedient mere side issues of being a Christian?

When you talk like this, someone will eventually accuse you of being legalistic. I don’t like legalism either. Legalism is having rules forced upon you without any true biblical basis.  Unfortunately, some folks like to throw the term around when they do not want any accountability.

Many civic organizations and sport teams have better adherence to their norms than churches. Youth sports teams are much more insistent the kids never miss practice or games. Often they coincide with regularly scheduled church meetings. Christian parents gleefully go along! If a church were to be so insistent, they would move their church membership or stop going altogether. Hmm, options!

Christians need to follow Jesus willingly in their own hearts without being coerced. I also realize new born Christians will crawl before they walk. It is also understood that seekers will ease into the water before they swim by faith. I believe mature Christians have a desire to follow Jesus with no options!

The question needs to be asked, if we are not excited about following Jesus with no options, then why?  Why do some use the excuse they have no money to give but their life is consumed with expensive pleasures?  Others argue, “I don’t have time to pray or read my Bible!” but they have plenty of time to watch television, and consume hours on Facebook.  What about those who say, “I don’t want to attend church because the pews are uncomfortable, the service is too long, and I don’t handle crowds well.” But, they will sit on hard bleachers in the cold rain watching a football game in overtime?  It would be funny, if it were not sad and true.

“But it’s my life and I can do with it what I want!”, cries the one who claims His name. Where in the Bible does it say we have options as Christ followers? Ask the ‘Rich Young Ruler’, if he could have disobeyed Jesus’ command to sell all and still follow. Ask the woman who was saved from stoning, if she could continue in adultery after Jesus told her, “Go and sin no more.” Ask Paul, if he had the option to quit preaching after his third beating with rods.

Think about Jesus asking his apostles, “Do you also want to go away?’ / But Simon Peter answered Him, ‘Lord, to whom shall we go? You have the words of eternal life’” (John 6:67-68 NKJV). It looks as though Peter saw no options!

True followers of Jesus are obedient followers of Jesus.  No, we are not perfect but our lives should be characterized by obedience. If we are a branch connected to the true Vine (Jesus), then we will bear fruit.

Those who are considered heroes in the Bible were first humble followers of Jesus. They considered no other options except to follow Him and obey.

The martyr who gave his life, first followed Jesus. He had fellowship with other believers. He prayed. He studied the scripture. He forgave his brother, fed the hungry, and he laid down his life sharing the Gospel. We will never truly stand for Jesus until we lay our lives before Him with no options.

I am out of options because I follow the ONE!

“Then Jesus said to His disciples, “If anyone desires to come after Me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow Me. / For whoever desires to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for My sake will find it. / For what profit is it to a man if he gains the whole world, and loses his own soul? Or what will a man give in exchange for his soul?” (Matt. 16:24-26 NKJV).

My prayer:  Oh, Lord Jesus!  I want to follow you.  I give up my options to do anything other than to follow you. Nothing else makes any sense to me. I am out of options because You are the only One who makes any sense of this world. Cleanse me of any waywardness and help me to be focused on following you in obedience.  Please empower me with the Holy Spirit so I can follow by Your power.

Yours on the Journey,

Harry L. Whitt