Don’t Just Go Along With the Crowd
Scripture
A large crowd was following Jesus. He turned around and said to them, “If you want to be my disciple, you must, by comparison, hate everyone else—your father and mother, wife and children, brothers and sisters—yes, even your own life. Otherwise, you cannot be my disciple. — Luke 14:25-26 NLT
Devotional
Crowds can follow Jesus without surrendering to Jesus.
There were many people around Him, but Jesus knew not all of them were disciples. Some were curious. Some wanted miracles. Some enjoyed the movement. Some were simply going along with the crowd.
That danger still exists today.
It is possible to be near Christian things without being fully devoted to Christ. It is possible to sing the songs, sit in the room, know the language, and still avoid obedience. It is possible to blend in with the crowd while never taking up the cross.
Jesus calls us out of passive religion and into active discipleship. We cannot simply go along with what culture approves, what friends expect, or what comfort allows. There comes a time to stand, obey, speak truth, pray again, lead our homes well, and refuse compromise.
Following Jesus means we do not drift with the crowd. We walk with the Savior.
Reflection
Are you following Jesus personally, or simply going along with Christian surroundings?
Where have you been silent or passive when God was calling you to stand?
What step of obedience do you need to take today?
A large crowd was following Jesus. He turned around and said to them, “If you want to be my disciple, you must, by comparison, hate everyone else—your father and mother, wife and children, brothers and sisters—yes, even your own life. Otherwise, you cannot be my disciple. — Luke 14:25-26 NLT
Devotional
Crowds can follow Jesus without surrendering to Jesus.
There were many people around Him, but Jesus knew not all of them were disciples. Some were curious. Some wanted miracles. Some enjoyed the movement. Some were simply going along with the crowd.
That danger still exists today.
It is possible to be near Christian things without being fully devoted to Christ. It is possible to sing the songs, sit in the room, know the language, and still avoid obedience. It is possible to blend in with the crowd while never taking up the cross.
Jesus calls us out of passive religion and into active discipleship. We cannot simply go along with what culture approves, what friends expect, or what comfort allows. There comes a time to stand, obey, speak truth, pray again, lead our homes well, and refuse compromise.
Following Jesus means we do not drift with the crowd. We walk with the Savior.
Reflection
Are you following Jesus personally, or simply going along with Christian surroundings?
Where have you been silent or passive when God was calling you to stand?
What step of obedience do you need to take today?