"IT'S NOT EASY TO
FOLLOW JESUS"

Following Jesus to the end of our lives has the promise of the greatest reward of any endeavor that one might undertake. No amount of money can buy it and no amount of money can equal its worth. The Hebrew writer says that we should keep "...looking unto Jesus, the author and the finisher of our faith…" Not only is He the one who made our salvation possible, through the amazing grace of God, but He is the one who will complete it when He comes again to take the saved home to be with Him forever. You have heard, "It's not over until it's over…"

Someone might say, "Oh, come on and follow after our Lord; it is easy and you meet the nicest people." You might look a little askance at that individual. Following Jesus does have the greatest of all outcomes, but following Jesus also has the greatest of all costs. Jesus said, "If anyone comes to Me and does not hate his father and mother, wife and children, brothers and sisters, yes, and his own life also, he cannot be My disciple." (Luke 14:26) He means that we must put Him first in our lives. He must rank, on our list of priorities, above family, job, hobby, pastime, possessions, etc. This is not easy for us human beings.

We must follow Him to the end of our lives. In Revelation 3:10, in the letter to the church in Smyrna, Jesus gave them some sublime instruction; "Be faithful until death, and I will give you the crown of life." This was after telling them that they were about to be under Roman persecution (for following Him), that some would be thrown into prison and that they were facing trouble. We should not take this instruction lightly. What Jesus was saying, in context is, "Be faithful unto me even though it might cost you your life, and I will take care of you in heaven." That puts things in perspective.

More to come…