RENOUNCING ALL

 

RENOUNCING ALL

"So therefore, any one of you who does not renounce all that he has cannot be my disciple." (Luke14:33, ESV)

Jesus spoke the above words whilst teaching on the cost of discipleship. This is one area that many people shy away from. Some say it is too heavy a topic; others say we should focus on the riches that we have derived by virtue of receiving Jesus as personal Lord and Saviour. Well, the truth of the matter is that Jesus is not only Saviour, He is LORD. What exactly does that mean? Let's ponder a little bit more on two words

1. Renounce: 'formally declare one's abandonment of (a claim, right, or possession)' (Cambridge Dictionary). For example when one renounces citizenship of a country, it means that the person gives up the right to be a citizen of that country. 
2. LORD:  'a person having power and authority over others' (Merriam Webster Dictionary)

So the implications are that if one is to be a disciple of Jesus, then He must have power and authority over that person and the individual must give up everything he or she possesses. The New Living Translation renders Luke 14:33 as follows: "So you cannot become my disciple without giving up everything you own."

This verse of Scripture is unambiguous, short and simple. There are no alternative interpretations. God says what He means and means what He says. In Matthew 19, there was an encounter between a young rich ruler and Jesus and on that occasion, the young rich ruler was confronted with a choice - sell your possessions, give the proceeds to the poor and then follow Jesus OR keep the possessions, focus on one's carnal desires and self-gain, and consequently live an unfulfilled life. The man chose the latter. It is ironic that he decided to place earthly temporal riches above Jesus and decided to pursue worldly treasures that would be destroyed by moths and rust (Matthew 6:19). What is your choice?

Will you renounce all and follow Jesus? Suffice it to say that it is impossible to be a disciple without surrendering all to Jesus. Discipleship without renunciation of all we possess is impossible. A disciple of Jesus cannot  prefer earthly treasure to heavenly treasure; a disciple is willing to let all go and allow God to have His way. 

Only followers of Jesus will make Heaven and only followers are disciples. The Bible says in John 1:12, "But to as many as did receive and welcome Him, He gave the right [the authority, the privilege] to become children of God, that is, to those who believe in (adhere to, trust in, and rely on) His name— " (AMP)

Receiving Jesus means accepting Him with everything He has to offer; it means embracing His Lordship and Deity. That is the bottom line. Worldliness and discipleship do not mix. A disciple of Jesus cannot love the world. The Bible says, "Do not love the world [of sin that opposes God and His precepts], nor the things that are in the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him. For all that is in the world—the lust and sensual craving of the flesh and the lust and longing of the eyes and the boastful pride of life [pretentious confidence in one’s resources or in the stability of earthly things]—these do not come from the Father, but are from the world." (1 John 2:15-16, AMP)

My dear brethren-in-the-Lord, friends and acquaintances the simple truth of God's Word can be very challenging but there is no alternative to obeying God's Word. One is either obedient or disobedient. What is your decision? - To renounce all that you have and follow Jesus OR to follow your carnal desires, a choice that will lead to spiritual death? May the good Lord enable and empower you to choose right and do right in accordance with the unadulterated Word of God. Have a blessed day.