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Luke 14:33, "In the same way, any of you who does not give up everything he has cannot be my disciple." (you can read the whole chapter in context, just didn't feel like typing it all out).
If Jesus means give up all of our wants, then I don't know of a single Christian (including myself) in my church that's going to heaven, as we're not disciples of God. If he literally means give up everything, including the shirt from our back and our food and water that we bought from the job that we have, which we also should give up, then I don't know of a single person (other than missionaries and some pastors) that would be considered disciples. Therefore most Christians on this earth are deceiving themselves.
Where is the line? What does Jesus really mean by "everything"? In theory I would even give up the last shirt that I have for Jesus, but practically that kind of seems absurd.
The second question is: Was this question directed to people who could talk to Jesus face to face? They literally would give up everything to follow him at that time. But now that we can't physically follow the man Jesus, is this commandment slightly different now that Jesus is not physically as a man on this earth? What should we give up today to truly be disciples of God?
This is something that I am uneasy about. I really want to follow God with my whole heart, but I know that I am not there yet. I'm still trying to get past certain habitual sins, so I do feel I am walking in darkness yet. But also, if I'm supposed to give up everything... that almost seems impossible unless I become a homeless street preacher who nobody listens to, or I become a missionary which I don't feel that's my calling. Any answers to help me out here is greatly appreciated. Also, if you can give references to your answers to back up what you are saying, that will also help a lot as well. Thanks in advance!
I'm just trying to do some honest soul searching here.
If Jesus means give up all of our wants, then I don't know of a single Christian (including myself) in my church that's going to heaven, as we're not disciples of God. If he literally means give up everything, including the shirt from our back and our food and water that we bought from the job that we have, which we also should give up, then I don't know of a single person (other than missionaries and some pastors) that would be considered disciples. Therefore most Christians on this earth are deceiving themselves.
Where is the line? What does Jesus really mean by "everything"? In theory I would even give up the last shirt that I have for Jesus, but practically that kind of seems absurd.
The second question is: Was this question directed to people who could talk to Jesus face to face? They literally would give up everything to follow him at that time. But now that we can't physically follow the man Jesus, is this commandment slightly different now that Jesus is not physically as a man on this earth? What should we give up today to truly be disciples of God?
This is something that I am uneasy about. I really want to follow God with my whole heart, but I know that I am not there yet. I'm still trying to get past certain habitual sins, so I do feel I am walking in darkness yet. But also, if I'm supposed to give up everything... that almost seems impossible unless I become a homeless street preacher who nobody listens to, or I become a missionary which I don't feel that's my calling. Any answers to help me out here is greatly appreciated. Also, if you can give references to your answers to back up what you are saying, that will also help a lot as well. Thanks in advance!
I'm just trying to do some honest soul searching here.