The Relevant Disciple

In Matthew 10:16-22; Jesus speaks of the cost of discipleship. Take a moment and read these verses and reflect a second before you continue to read this blog.

“16 I am sending you out like sheep among wolves. Therefore be as shrewd as snakes and as innocent as doves.

17 "Be on your guard against men; they will hand you over to the local councils and flog you in their synagogues.

18 On my account you will be brought before governors and kings as witnesses to them and to the Gentiles.

19 But when they arrest you, do not worry about what to say or how to say it. At that time you will be given what to say,

20 for it will not be you speaking, but the Spirit of your Father speaking through you.

21 "Brother will betray brother to death, and a father his child; children will rebel against their parents and have them put to death.

22 All men will hate you because of me, but he who stands firm to the end will be saved.”

For many years I have been taught if you are a disciple of Christ He will protect you and keep you from earthly harm. The reality is, Christ will protect you and guide you, but that does not mean you will not suffer harm on earth. This passage tells us Jesus is sending us out to the wolves. A dangerous thing isn’t it? Why would He do that if He loves us? He sends us out because He wants to reach the world and we are his instruments.

There is a cost to being a radical disciple; it is a cost that is worth the price. For those who are believers in Christ, your protection is eternal. He will preserve you and keep you and when you die you will enter rest. That rest is our reward. These words are very difficult to type but they are reality. God wants us to be radical disciples. He wants us to be out in the world reaching the lost and dying with the gospel of Jesus Christ. This may cost us everything, including our lives, but it will be worth it if we lose it for His glory. We will receive our reward which will be eternal rest in His presence. Radical disciples understand this passage and they are living lives radically different than most of us. We call them fools, idiots, super Christians, and much more; but the reality is, they get it and they are living the life God wants His followers to live. They are truly willing to go when asked. They do not worry about what might happen because their eyes are focused on God’s Glory.

These words are very challenging to me. I ask myself how willing am I to be radical? God wants me to be radically in love with him and I know that. Each day He works on my heart and each day I grow to become more radical. I ask myself could I pick everything up today and move to an unreached people group and live with them for the rest of my life? I pray that the answer would be yes. I want to be radical. I want to reach people for Christ. There is no one like our God and he deserves our complete and utter dedication. I am still thinking through some things, but I realize I am more ready now to be a radical disciple of Christ than I ever have been. I realize that is may cause people to call me all kinds of things and even may cause harm to my life but it is worth it for His Glory.