Word for the day by Christian Education Forum

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THE COST OF DISCIPLESHIP
ISAIAH 56:1-8
 V.6: Unto them will I give in my house and within my walls a memorial and a name better than of sons and daughters: I will give them an everlasting name: that shall not be cut off.
The cost to follow Jesus is very high and has not changed from time in memory. The cost is the same as before when the apostles decided to follow the carpenter abandoning their nets and water to the present, to those of us who think are very sophisticated and, in a dilemma, to follow Him or see Him from far and know about Him only. We live in a highly technologically advanced world, and we still pursue and keep our personal ambitions and look for worldly gratifications and transient fames of the world that fade away like grass of the field. Jesus said in Luke 9 :23 “If anyone would come after me, he must deny himself and take up his cross and follow me. To live as a true disciple of Christ, to live as a Christian in today's troubled world involves a lot of self-denial, and denunciation of one’s plans and worldly goals in life. Jesus wants us to live for Him. He wants us to take up His cross and follow the way He showed, a way of servant hood, love, compassion and sacrifice. Jesus has said “I am the way, the truth and the life “and whoever has seen me, obeys me and listens to me obeys my Father in Heaven.
   
Love shall be the badge one Christian wears and it has a cost attached to it. It is something that is expressed not only with words but action and deeds too. When love is divine, hatred is the hallmark of the devil. Here in today’s portion for devotion from Isaiah God asks His people to be free of evil and sin and be diligent in observing sabbath. He is telling His people to observe the commandments He has given through Moses to His people, The continuation of justice and righteousness is a repeating theme in the book of Isaiah. Through prophet Micah also God has told his people to do justice, be humble and practice mercy and kindness. Justice involves bringing people into the right relationship with God. Once we attain a good relationship with God, we will automatically become righteous. God in His mercy ,we see here, is ready to gather the outcasts and make them His children as long as they are ready to obey and keep His commandments.

The cost of being a disciple of Jesus Christ is one that requires everything, a life that is fully dedicated, surrendered to the will of God. If we want to claim as a disciple of our Lord, we have to be  His followers in the true sense by all means. Followers means obeying what he has taught, told, advocated and stood for in His life and  live a life by the standards He has set forth. It may be costly but is definitely rewarding. May the good Lord enable us to be a step closer to Him through our daily meditations and the Word of God. Amen.
PRAYER
Lord help me to be a disciple of you. Show me the truth and the way and make me stay on the course you have set for me.
 
Thought for the day
“My Grace is sufficient for you.” Jesus said.

Dr. Thomas K. Jose
The Mar Thoma Church, Staten Island

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