Luke 14:25-35: “All or Nothing”
“Now great multitudes were going along with Him, and He turned and said to them, ‘If anyone comes to Me, and does not hate his own father and mother and wife and children and brothers and sisters, yes, and even his own life, he cannot be My disciple. Whoever does not carry his own cross and come after Me cannot be My disciple. For which one of you, when he wants to build a tower, does not first sit down and calculate the cost, to see if he has enough to complete it? Otherwise, when he has laid a foundation, and is not able to finish, all who observe it begin to ridicule him, saying, ‘This man began to build and was not able to finish.”
“Or what king, when he sets out to meet another king in battle, will not first sit down and take counsel whether he is strong enough with ten thousand men to encounter the one coming with twenty thousand? Or else, while the other is still far away, he sends a delegation and asks terms of peace? So therefore, no one of you can be My disciple who does not give up all his own possessions.”
“Therefore, salt is good, but if even salt has become tasteless, with what will it be seasoned? It is useless either for the soil or for the manure pile. It is thrown out. He who has ears to hear, let him hear” (Luke 14:25-35, NASB).
As I write this article, all around the United States there are a bunch of less than noble persons in public office who think that their words and actions will somehow strike fear and trepidation, not in the reprobates who are burning down cities and trashing everything in sight, but towards pastors and religious officials who have made the horrendous mistake of not bowing before these local Caesars and complying with the draconian measures and restrictions placed on them.
What are these ministers’ crimes against the state?
Why, they have the absolute gall and audacity to gather and worship the risen Lord Jesus Christ. Oh, heavens! They cannot let that happen! Why, it is perfectly fine to riot, tear down statutes, shoot children in the streets and not have it affect city government like in Chicago, or keep the abortion machine functioning, or let people go gamble their savings away in casinos, or shop, but to gather and glorify God? These would-be dictators tell us that if we do not shut down and kiss their self-anointed feet and essentially grovel before them, they are going to hose down the streets with their synthetic testosterone or estrogen and show us a thing or two, like shut off utilities, or threaten to arrest those defiant men of God who choose to keep their churches open and gather in Christ’s name. Oh, I am so scared! You wish.
Reprobates like Gavin Newsom of California, the poor excuse for a governor of what was once a beautiful state, are showing how tough they talk by threatening to arrest pastors like Dr. John MacArthur if they do not close their churches. Oh, look at the big, bad, scary head of state showing how authoritative he is by wanting to throw an eighty-one-year-old man in prison for the sake of the Gospel. Let the rest of his state and cities go to hell, but he needs to get his real priorities in order, right? Give me a break. In the meantime, men who once stood with Dr. MacArthur on the stage with him allegedly defending the gospel are now strangely quiet, afraid of upsetting the social justice applecart and meeting the same fate. Other ministers and their members, however, are standing with MacArthur and others like him all around this nation and the world.
All I can say to these leaders who have forfeited their right to govern by coming against God and His people is to stand up and declare that they are in line for severe judgment if they do not repent and bow the knee before the King of Kings, our Lord Jesus Christ NOW! (Philippians 2:9-11). On this truth I stand, and I will not bow or recant.
We are seeing two things unfold. One, the true nature of humanity is openly showing its contempt and demonic hatred of the Lord Jesus Christ and His true church, and it will only get worse. Second, this time of sifting is separating the wheat from the chaff in terms of real devotion and worship of the LORD.
We are witnessing numerous defections from the faith by both famous and oblivious people, who were really never believers in Jesus Christ in the first place (Romans 1:18-32, 3:10-18; 2 Timothy 4:3,4; Hebrews 6:4-6; 2 Peter 3:3-8; 1 John 2:19). The Lord Jesus had false followers in His day (Judas), and today is no different. The vicious attacks on the word of God are prevalent, such as the burning of Bibles in Portland, Oregon, where the incorrigible brats of Antifa and BLM (Bullies Love Murder) are trashing the city, and the leadership seems oblivious to the destruction. This is utterly intolerable.
Ladies and gentlemen, the time has come in history to take a stand and be firm in your beliefs and convictions. Either you are dedicated to Jesus Christ or not. Either you obey Him or not. You stand up for Him or not. You defend your faith or not. You follow Him wherever He directs you to go and do or you do not. You commit to His leadership or you do not. Either you get off the throne of your life and let Him have control or you do not. You love Him above family and friends or not.
You lay down your life for Him if necessary, and you are not and never will be the center of all that is vital. Self-love and self-esteem go out the window from the minute you come to Christ. It might take some time to come to that reality, but it has to be done in order to have a clear picture of what He has in store for you and what He expects of you while you are here in this world. Quit being attached to the things of the world and seek that which is eternal and truly priceless, namely salvation and peace through Jesus Christ. We are not to waver between two opinions or thoughts (1 Kings 18:21). It is either Christ or Caesar.
Allegiance to Christ brings true life and the promise of peace, both here and in eternity, while one gives you temporary solace but at the cost of your soul. It is time to take sides, and if you decide to tow the worldly line and keep compliant, or fake your faith and then be a Demas when the heat turns up (2 Timothy 4:10), or be the soil that looks fruitful but withers at the first sign of trouble (Mark 4:5-6, 16-17), then do the church of Jesus Christ a favor and LEAVE! That also goes for you latte-sipping, skinny jean-wearing, hip, relevant feel-good “pastors” who present pep talks and promote social issues at the neglect of teaching the Word of God.
Here is my advice to you. GET OUT OF THE PULPIT AND EITHER REPENT OR BE JUDGED! (Matthew 7:21-23). You know who you are, and you have been warned. Embrace Jesus Christ and turn from the world, please.
The Rapture of the true church of Jesus Christ is at hand now more than ever, and we who are His followers will stand and face the judgment seat of Christ for accountability and reward (John 14:1-3; 1 Corinthians 15:51-58; 2 Corinthians 5:10; 1 Thessalonians 4:13-18; Revelation 3:10). Those who reject Christ will stand before Him to be condemned to the Lake of Fire at the Great White throne Judgment (Revelation 20:11-15). There is no other option, destination, or choice in the matter. If you are not right with God through the salvation offered by His Son, the Lord Jesus Christ, I implore you to get that settled NOW! (John 14:6; 2 Corinthians 6:2). He is on His way. Be ready for the trip.