The Greatest Hindrance To Saving Faith

# 294 - Today's Living Word comes from Mr 3:13,14, “And he went up on the mountain and called to Him those He Himself wanted, And they came to Him. Then He appointed twelve, that they might be with Him and that He might send them out to preach,”

This is church business. Jesus and His disciples go into the mountain, away from the world. Once there, and in the presence of the witness of His church, (the disciples) He chooses twelve apostles from their midst.

Don't overlook the little phrase, “And they came to Him.” Jesus calls, but we must respond.

In answering His call, these men became models for all who would follow Christ. They became forsakers. They would forsake all just to be with Him. And as He would say later on in Luke 14:33, “So likewise whoever of you does not forsake all that he has cannot be My disciple.”

(This lack of a willingness to forsake all is perhaps the greatest hindrance to saving faith in Jesus. Most people are quick to acknowledge the existence of God, but few are willing to give up their own existence. They mistakenly believe they can have the best of both worlds.)

Now Jesus had a very special task in mind for the twelve, and he has a special task or tasks in mind for you and I as well. But we will never know what those tasks are until we first (1) respond to His call and come to Him, then (2) forsake all, that is, be willing to prioritize our lives in such a way that being with Him is the most important thing in our lives.

Remember this, especially at those times when the cares of the world and the desires of our flesh would attempt to pull us away. Come to Him...fully!

A couple of Keith Green lyrics come to mind here: First of all from To Obey Is Better Than Sacrifice, “ To obey is better than sacrifice I want more than Sundays and Wednesday nights. Cause if you can't come to me everyday, then don't bother coming at all”

And from Make My Life A Prayer To You I want to die, and let you give,Your life to me, so I might live,And share the hope you gave to me, The love that set me free,

Make it your song today.

I’m Duane Matz and that’s Today’s Living Word.