"And whoever does not carry their own cross and follow me cannot be my disciple." -Luke 14:27
Oswald Chambers wrote...
If there is one standard in the New Testament revealed by the light of God and you do not come up to it, and do not feel inclined to come up to it, that is the beginning of backsliding, because it means your conscience does not answer to the truth. You can never be the same after the unveiling of a truth.
I wonder if this is the cross that Jesus refers to in Luke 14:27. That once we know the truth it becomes our cross to carry because now we know better. We must die continually to our old inclinations because now we know better. We must purpose to live as Christ's disciples because now we know better.
And what is this truth that we now know? That Jesus is the way, the truth, and the life. In Him we can find our being, our purpose. Once we decide to follow Him, we receive the Holy Spirit to help us follow Him. If we turn back after knowing (i.e., experiencing) this, there is no hope for us. It is a slippery slope that can't be climbed back up.
Once our consciences begin to harden against the truth of who Jesus Christ is and what it means to follow Him, we become mired in the quicksand of guilt. The Holy Spirit in us has been quenched and we are left to our own devices. How much better to heed His warnings by staying in His Light and following Him--no turning back toward the darkness.
Father, may my conscience always remain tender so that I will respond immediately to your gentle leading.
Link to scripture: John 14:6
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