Proper 18C

Discipleship is costly because it crucifies the old man with “all he that he has” (Luke 14:33), in order to raise up the new man in Christ. The disciple gives up “his own father and mother and wife and children and brothers and sisters, yes, and even his own life” (Luke 14:26), in regard to Christ.

That way of the cross is impossible, except that Jesus has already paid the cost. His cross is set before you as “life and prosperity, and death and adversity” (Deut. 30:15). Taking up His cross is to “choose life in order that you may live, by loving the Lord your God, by obeying His voice, and by holding fast to Him” (Deut. 30:19–20).

To live that life in Christ is also to bear His cross in love, “that your goodness [would be]t of your own free will” (Philemon 14).

These Seeds of Faith have been sown by St. Paul’s Lutheran Church, Bridgeport, NE. I’m Pastor Allen Strawn.