What will it cost to be a true Christian? "it will cost him his self-righteousness. He must cast away all pride and high thoughts, and conceit of his own goodness. He must be content to go to heaven as a poor sinner, saved only by free grace, and owing all to the merit and righteousness of another." - J. C. Ryle
Where's the Beef?? Where's the *FRUIT* if you really love and obey Jesus??
John 15:5,8,16: Jesus says, If a man:rolleyes: remains in Me and I in him, he will bear much *FRUIT*....This is to My Father's Glory, that you:rolleyes: bear much *FRUIT*, showing yourself to be My disciple ....You did not choose Me, but I chose you and appointed you:rolleyes: to go and bear* FRUIT* �FRUIT* that will last.�See Matt 21:43; John 15:5,8; Gal 5:22; Phil 1:11; Col 1:6,10
Matthew 21:43: Jesus warns, "The Kingdom of God will be taken away from you and given to a people who will produce its *FRUIT!"
Galatians 5:22: "The *FRUIT* of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control.":angel:
Colossians 1:10: "We pray this in order that you may live a life worthy of the Lord and may please Him in every way: bearing *FRUIT* in every good work!"
Very often we hear of people who claim to be believers who give 10% to the church, go to church over 3 times a week, belong to the choir, live a good life etc etc, but don't produce any *FRUIT*! Their Pastors assure them that they are going to heaven and that they are sound in doctrine but gives them no practical ideas on how to produce *FRUIT* and how to practically use their gifts.
Matthew 5:14,16: Jesus says, �You are the LIGHT of the world...Let your LIGHT shine before men, that they may see your good deeds and praise your Father in heaven."
I Corinthians 3:6-9: Paul says, �The Lord has assigned to each his task. I planted the seed. Apollos watered it, but God made it grow... The man who plants and the man who waters have one purpose, and each will be rewarded according to his own labor. For we:rolleyes: are God's fellow workers!�
Daniel 12:3: �Those who impart wisdom will shine like the brightness of the heavens, and those who lead many to righteousness, like the stars for ever and ever!!�
So let our lights *SHINE* with the many gifts God has given us and we can have a REVIVAL with the hope of countless eternal rewards for faithful and loving service.
I Corinthians 1:7: For �You do not lack any spiritual gift as you eagerly wait for our Lord Jesus Christ to be *REVEALED*!�
So let us read God's Word daily {Acts 17:11} and then *DO WHAT IT SAYS*! {James 1:22,25}:peace:
Acts 17:11: �The Bereans were of noble character, for they received the message with great eagerness and examined the Scriptures *EVERY DAY*!�:angel:
James 1:22,25: �Do not merely listen to the Word. *DO WHAT IT SAYS*!... and he who continues to do this, not forgetting what he has heard, but *DOING IT*�will be blessed in what he does.:angel:
Matthew 13:23: Jesus says, "But the one who received the seed that fell on good soil is the man who hears the Word and understands it. He produces a crop, yielding a hundred {100}, sixty {60} or thirty {30} times what was sown.":angel:
Good question to ask DLJ...What will it cost to be a true Christian? Counting the Cost of Discipleship/being a True Christian.
The price and cost is much higher than most think who confess and profess that they are Christians. Many people think that just receiving Jesus Christ into their lives is all they have need to do.
But Jesus taught us during His earthly ministry many things about being true Christians, He taught what it meant to be a true Christan, which means followers fo Christ, and the sacrifices that are taken into account when we are true Christains. Jesus is our supreme example and we are to do those same things He did helping others and forsaking all things for the cause of the gospel.
Iif you really really, want to be a TRUE CHRISTIAN, a sincere FOLLOWERS OF CHRIST, A FAITHFUL DISCIPLE One MUST COUNT THE COST. Jesus says it like this if you plan to count the cost of being a TRUE CHRISTIAN/ DISCIPLES of Jesus Christ: 26 “If anyone comes to me and does not hate(meaning total loyality to Christ rejecting all others), this is the sacrifice) father and mother, wife and children, brothers and sisters—yes, even their own life—such a person cannot be my disciple. 27 And whoever does not carry their cross and follow me cannot be my disciple. “Suppose one of you wants to build a tower. Won’t you first sit down and estimate the cost to see if you have enough money to complete it? 29 For if you lay the foundation and are not able to finish it, everyone who sees it will ridicule you, 30 saying, ‘This person began to build and wasn’t able to finish.’ “Or suppose a king is about to go to war against another king. Won’t he first sit down and consider whether he is able with ten thousand men to oppose the one coming against him with twenty thousand? 32 If he is not able, he will send a delegation while the other is still a long way off and will ask for terms of peace. 33 In the same way, those of you who do not give up everything you have cannot be my disciples.
34 “Salt is good, but if it loses its saltiness, how can it be made salty again? 35 It is fit neither for the soil nor for the manure pile; it is thrown out. “Whoever has ears to hear, let them hear.”
If a person is not willing to make the sacrifice to follow God's word faithfully, and give of his/herself totally committed to the works of Christ, Jesus said they cannot be His disciples... that's Bible:glow:
SIDE BAR: Please clearly understand that Jesus IN NOT saying that you MUST sell or GIVE UP everything you own or get rid of or hate your parents or wif or husband or children... He is saying, you must be willing to NOT ALLOW anything OR anyone to hinder or get in your way or path giving cause for you to NOT be able to do the works of the ministry.
People, places and things hinders many from doing what they know God has called them to do in ministry. Jesus is saying DO NOT be like this, and know and understand that there will be times when you WILL have to give up everything you consider dear to your heart INCLUDING YOUR OWN LIFE, for the casue of the gospel of Jesus Christ.
thanks James, i have been very blessed with reading some of the stuff on that site. There is alot of spiritual growth to be done in all of us, and it is nice not to have to buy books all the time. I have found alot of puritan writings free on the internet. Praise God.
