(Matthew 7:24 NLT) “Anyone who listens to My teaching and follows it is wise, like a person who builds a house on solid rock.”
There are no shortcuts to a godly character. What is godly character – following Jesus and forsaking all things that would hold you back. One who has character knows right from wrong (as he follows Christ) and does what is right, regardless of the cost. He does it no matter if people are watching or if he is alone. Jesus said it would cost you everything to follow Him, so consider the cost! (Luke 14:33 MKJV) “So then, everyone of you who does not forsake all his possessions, he cannot be My disciple.”
With reckless abandonment the disciples left all they ever knew to follow Jesus. Still others gave up the opportunity to follow Him because of comforts and riches they had accumulated. (Luke 18:22-25 NLT) “When Jesus heard his answer, He said, "There is still one thing you haven't done. Sell all your possessions and give the money to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven. Then come, follow Me." But when the man heard this he became very sad, for he was very rich. When Jesus saw this, He said, "How hard it is for the rich to enter the Kingdom of God! In fact, it is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for a rich person to enter the Kingdom of God!"
(Luke 16:13 NLT) "No one can serve two masters. For you will hate one and love the other; you will be devoted to one and despise the other. You cannot serve both God and money."
Still others do not even care to follow Jesus or ever intend to, for they are too busy seeking pleasures or simply living life. (Luke 14:18-20 NLT) “But they all began making excuses. One said, 'I have just bought a field and must inspect it. Please excuse me.' Another said, 'I have just bought five pairs of oxen, and I want to try them out. Please excuse me.' Another said, 'I now have a wife, so I can't come.'”
Jesus told the crowd that day, (Luke 14:26 NLT) “If you want to be My disciple, you must hate everyone else by comparison--your father and mother, wife and children, brothers and sisters--yes, even your own life. Otherwise, you cannot be My disciple.”
Yes we have responsibilities but they are not our priorities! Again and again God’s Word tells us make Him our only priority! (Matthew 6:31-34 NLT) “So don't worry about these things, saying, 'What will we eat? What will we drink? What will we wear?' These things dominate the thoughts of unbelievers, but your heavenly Father already knows all your needs. Seek the Kingdom of God above all else, and live righteously, and He will give you everything you need. "So don't worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will bring its own worries. Today's trouble is enough for today.”
If godly character requires that we follow Jesus then to follow Him we must have faith – faith that Jesus is who He says He is, faith that He is good and intends good for us. We must understand that in order to prepare us for all that He has planned sometimes we must go through difficult things in this life because this life is just a journey. How we live this journey will determine how we live eternity! Yes, godly character is costly but living our own lives apart from God is more costly!
