The Costly Call: Following Jesus

The Costly Call: Following Jesus

Reflection on Matthew 16:24

"Then Jesus said to his disciples, 'Whoever wants to be my disciple must deny themselves and take up their cross and follow me.'"
— Matthew 16:24 (NIV)

Jesus’ words are not an invitation to comfort, but a call to radical surrender. True discipleship demands a decisive shift in allegiance—from self to Savior. Here’s what it means to walk this narrow way:

1. The Clarity of "No" Defines Our "Yes"
   When we choose Jesus, we reject all rivals. Every genuine "yes" to Christ inherently requires "no" to paths that conflict with His lordship. This is the essence of dedication: prioritizing Him above comfort, ambition, and even safety. As Jim Elliot said, "He is no fool who gives what he cannot keep to gain what he cannot lose."
2. "No" Brings Focus; "Yes" Demands Discernment
   Saying "no" to sin, distraction, and selfishness creates space for God’s purpose. A clear "no" protects our hearts from compromise. Conversely, a "yes" to Jesus opens a world of holy possibilities—requiring us to seek His will daily through prayer, Scripture, and the Spirit’s guidance (Romans 12:2).
3. Exchanging Desires: The Heart of Discipleship
   Following Jesus means crucifying our self-centered wants and embracing His desires as our own. It’s not merely suppressing sin, but undergoing a transformation where His priorities reshape our passions (Galatians 2:20). As we yield, His desires become our delight (Psalm 37:4), making obedience a joy, not a burden.
4. Pursuit Implies Rejection
   Wholeheartedly seeking God’s Kingdom means automatically turning from what opposes it (Matthew 6:33). You cannot walk toward light while clinging to darkness. Pursuing righteousness, peace, and Christ’s mission leaves no room for the pursuits of the flesh or the world.

A Personal Reflection:
I once believed following Jesus was about adding Him to my existing life. I’ve learned it’s about surrendering that life entirely. The cross I’m called to carry isn’t always dramatic—it’s the daily "no" to pride, the quiet "yes" to forgiveness, the choice to serve when I want to be served. In this surrender, I’ve found true freedom: the chains of self are broken by the weight of the cross.

A Prayer of Surrender:

Lord Jesus, Your call is clear but costly. Give me the courage to deny myself—to say "no" to the lies of comfort, control, and compromise. Help me take up my cross daily: the specific calling to die to sin and live for You. Transform my desires until Your heart beats within me. As I follow You, step by step, fill me with Your Spirit’s strength and the deep joy that comes only from complete obedience. May my life be a clear "yes" to You, my Savior and King. Amen.

What is Worth Doing Is Worth Doing Well - Galatians 6:9

 What is Worth Doing Is Worth Doing Well

Galatians 6:9 (NIV)
“Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up.”

We live in a world that often celebrates instant results, applause, and visibility. But God calls us to something deeper—faithfulness in doing good, even when it feels slow, unnoticed, or unappreciated. If something is worth doing, it is worth doing well—not for human approval, but because it honors God and aligns with His purposes.

1. Return to the Original Purpose

When discouragement creeps in, remind yourself why you started. Our motivation should be rooted in doing what is good, not chasing recognition or applause. Whether or not people see it, your labor matters to God. It is not the glory we seek, but the goodness of the work itself.

"So what if nobody sees or praises us? God sees, and that is enough."

2. God Promises a Harvest

Galatians 6:9 is a clear assurance: if we don’t give up, there will be a harvest. God is not unjust; He notices every act of obedience and love. The reward may not be immediate, but it will come—in God’s perfect time and way.

3. Good Things Take Time

A strong character, a loving relationship, a fruitful ministry, or a life of impact is not built overnight. Anything truly good takes time, persistence, and effort. Keep building even when progress feels slow.

4. Adapt, Don’t Quit

Not giving up doesn’t mean being rigid. Your purpose may remain the same, but your method may need to change. Learn from mistakes, seek wise counsel, try new approaches. Stubbornness is not faithfulness. Growth requires flexibility.

5. Aim for Faithfulness, Not Perfection

God doesn’t expect perfection from us—He desires a faithful heart. Doing something well doesn’t mean doing it flawlessly, but doing it with diligence, humility, and a willingness to grow.

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Application Questions

• Am I still clear on why I started doing this?
• Am I doing it for God or for people's approval?
• In what area do I need to persevere rather than give up?
• Is there a better way I can approach this that I haven't yet tried?
• Am I aiming for faithfulness, or am I being trapped by perfectionism?

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A Short Prayer

Lord, thank You for reminding me that doing good is never wasted. Renew my heart when I grow weary. Help me to stay faithful to the purpose You’ve given me, and to do it well—not for praise, but because You are worthy. Teach me to adapt when needed and to trust in Your timing for the harvest. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

p.s. This was ChatGPT's answer to my prompt:

Improve and complete the following devotion:

What is worth doing is worth doing it well

Galatians 6:9 NIV Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up.

#1 When we feel discouraged, we need to go back to the original purpose of why we are doing it. It is the good and not the glory that we are doing. So, so what if nobody sees it or nobody praise us, we continue to do because it is good.

#2 Here is the assurance that God will rewards us if we just continue.

#3 Good things take time and effort to build. So we should not give up.

#4 However, we need to know that our purpose or objective need not change, but our methods should. We must learn and adapt on the way. Don't give up is yes but may be we can change or improve the method.

#5 Faithfulness for improvement and not perfection is the key.

Application Questions

A Short prayer