The midland journal. (Rising Sun, Md.) 1885-1947, 1945-03-09
THE COST OF DIsCIPLEsHIP

THE COST OF DISCIPLESHIP
LESSON TEXT-Matthew 19:16-26. 20.
GOLDEN TEXT-n any man will come
after me. let him deny himself. and take
up his cross. and follow me.-Matthew 1924.
What you have is not your own.
In fact, if you are Christian, both
you and your possessions belong to
God (see I Cor. 500; 7:23). To be
His disciple involves the recognition
of the fact that life is essentially
stewardship, holding our property
and our persons in trust for Him.
The cost of discipleship is one
which should be candidly faced.
1t is far more than the cost of join
ing a church or subscribing to a
creed. That may and often does
mean little or nothing, but to be a
follower Of Christ calls for thinking
and living in accordance with His
standards. We must
]. Think Right About God wv. 16,
~.
The picture Of this rich, intelli-
gent young man, leader in his
community, coming to Christ with
his eager quest for eternal life is a
most attractive one. He recognized
Jesus as a master in Israel and a
good man.
His thinking about our Lord did
not go far enough, and Jesus cor
rected him at once. He pointed out
that if he recognized Him as good,
then He must be God. Far from
disclaiming divinity, Jesus declared
here that everyone who thinks right
about Him must agree that He is
God.
It is OF the highest Importance
that the follower of Christ be clear
that his master is God. Otherwise,
his attitude toward Him will reflect
his defective viewpoint, and his
witness concerning Him will lead
men astray instead of Alright. Cor
rect doctrine is vitality important as
the foundation of real discipleship.
The one who thinks right about
God will
III. Live Right With Others wv. 49,
20).
The commandments to which
Jesus referred were those which
concerned a mans relationship to
his fellow man. There is to be no
violence to another person, no de-
'ceit or trickery, no dishonoring Of
confidence, but an active interest
and love for ones neighbor as well
as ones family.
The disciple of Christ cannot ef-
fectively serve Him in this world
without proper attitude toward
others. He must not sin against
them, that is clear; but what is
more, he must be known as one who
loves them.
Note that this young man could
honestly say that he had kept these
commandments. Few of us could
make such claim, but he did. And
Jesus did not question it or rebuke
him. In fact, He loved him for it
(see Mark 10:2D.
What fine character this young
man had, what limitless possibili-
ties for usefulness, what promise for
the future! But something was lack
ing, something stood in his way.
Jesus went directly to the heart Of
his trouble and told him that he
must
III. Act Right About Money wv.
21-26).
Toward persons, his life was
rightly related, but toward his pos
sessions-ah, that was another mat
ter. He was rich and his money
stood between him and God, be-
tween him and a life of service and
spirituality.
When a man has money and uses
it for Gods glory and the good of
his fellow man, it is a blessing to
him and to others. But when money
lays hold Of a man, and it has him
instead of his having it, spiritual dis
aster is ahead, and not far away.
It is proper to be prudent, thrifty,
and ambitious, but when the gath
ering Of wealth becomes the upper
most thing, even these worthy quail
tiles become the enemies Of mans
soul.
Note the establishment of the dis
ciples ". 25). They, too, though
they had little or nothing, had been
smitten with the awe for riches.
Do not miss the glorious assur-
ance Of verse 26. Nothing is i'm
possible with God. He can even
save a rich man, and does It'll
Now there is more to discipleship
than sacrifice. God has recon-
pense for His children. Let US
Nv. Expect the Right Reward
". 29).
No one has ever lost anything by
serving the Lord. He gives literally
and makes hundredfold return for
every sacrifice we make. Christian
workers can testify that God has lit
orally fulfilled this promise to them.
But the greatest reward of all
waits beyond the end of this earth
ly life. Over yonder there awaits
sac xto x,rocpoof of oforno1 fo11rx.y-t,;v.