The concept of Follower of the Way has degenerated in these days, to a simple matter of choice or mental exercise. Liberal theologians focusing on unity for church growth and mammon have neutralized Biblical doctrines outlining the tenants of the new–birth, because they are divisive. Yahusha said…
Think not that I am come to send peace on earth: I came not to send peace, but a sword. For I am come to set a man at variance against his father, and the daughter against her mother, and the daughter in law against her mother in law. And a man's foes shall be they of his own household. He that loves father or mother more than me is not worthy of me: and he that loves son or daughter more than me is not worthy of me. MATTITHYAHU (MATTHEW) 10:34-37
The popular concept being: Just make a decision for “YAHUSHA,” and you will go to Heaven; no repentance or change required. Wow! No wonder the claim is that 80% of the country say they are “Believers” Say this prayer and you will be “saved!” From what..death..sin...eternal damnation? (Good luck with that) Furthermore, televangelists and Self proclaimed “Apostles”, “Bishops”and even “Prophetesses“suggest followers can develop plans and make decisions, and then demand their want in the name of Mashiach Yahusha and have the gall to label it a blessing. (Living Your Best Life) They aren’t fooling anyone but the spiritually immature. If that offends you, it was for you. There is absolutely no Scriptural support for this bold and blasphemous hypothesis. Salvation is a summons to die; die to self, temporal pursuits and ANYTHING else that would draw your attention from the following and serving of our example, Yahusha. Focus with me on Our Saviors words…
And there went great multitudes with him: and he turned, and said unto them, If any man come to me, and hate not his father, and mother, and woman, and children, and brethren, and sisters, yea, and his own life also, he cannot be my Talmidiy (disciple). And whosoever does not take up his cross, and come after me, cannot be my Talmidiy. (disciple) For which of you, intending to build a tower, sits not down first, and counts the cost, whether he have sufficient to finish it? Lest haply, after he has laid the foundation, and is not able to finish it, all that behold it begin to mock him, Saying, This man began to build, and was not able to finish. Or what king, going to make war against another king, sits not down first, and consults whether he be able with ten thousand to meet him that comes against him with twenty thousand? Or else, while the other is yet a great way off, he sends an ambassage, and desires conditions of peace. So likewise, whosoever he be of you that forsakes not all that he has, he cannot be my Talmidiy.
LUQAS (LUKE) 14:25-33את
The Scriptural teaching on what it means to be a disciple of Yahusha isn’t popular. This just happens to be one of multiple unpopular accounts of true conversion. There is absolutely no reason this message would appeal to the lost, unless the Spirit of the Alahiym drew him or her to Ha’Mashiach first (Titus 3:5). Following this transforming work, the believer is suddenly confronted with established loyalties, spiritual crosses, spiritual assignments and spiritual battles. The Savior’s instruction to hate family in verse twenty–six is an eye opening charge or better yet, a commandment, (not a suggestion) to set spiritual priorities ahead of not only family but everything else as well, including personal wellbeing. According to Yahusha Ha’Mashiach, unforsaken loyalties don’t simply reduce your performance as His disciple; they disqualify you. He next mentions un-carried crosses as disqualifiers from His discipleship (verse twenty–seven). Modernism tends to categorize any discomfort such as physical, economic, social or geopolitical, as a cross. This is simply not accurate. These and others may be closely akin to your cross, (in your own summation) but they do not even come close qualifying as the cross itself.
Dietrich Bonhoffer is but one case in point. Bonhoffer was a Lutheran pastor and theologian who was executed for conspiring against Adolph Hitler. He recognized the hatred manifest in Nazi propaganda, and stood against it. This was a career–limiting move that first cost Bonhoffer his freedom and then his life. But Nazism was not Bonhoffer’s cross. He could have capitulated, as did other German pastors of the day, and been just fine. In simple terms, your cross is ANY opposition to your flesh: deny yourself.
The third area of discipleship disqualification Messiah dealt with is unkept promises (verses twenty–eight – thirty). He spoke as in a parable and used the analogy of someone planning a building, who projects the cost before undertaking the project. Many people have no desire to end up in hell, but neither do they intend to follow the Yahusha Ha’Mashiach, whatever the cost. According to Yahusha , your lack of commitment disqualifies you from being His disciple.
The fourth and final qualification mentioned in this passage deals with unfought battles (verses thirty–one – thirty–two). Anytime you compromise with your flesh or peer pressure, you have failed to fight a spiritual battle, which again disqualifies you from being a Talmidiy (disciple. )
James wrote…(brother of Messiah James...yeah I think he knew him)
Ye adulterers and adulteresses, know ye not that the friendship of the world is enmity with YAH? whosoever therefore will be a friend of the world is the enemy of YAH.
James 4:4
Compromise with the world does not in any way draw you to the Savior , but conversely, draws you into sin. There is no neutral track in the Messiah’s economy,
He that is not with me is against me; and he that gathers not with me scatters abroad. MATTITHYAHU (MATTHEW) 12:30.
Or...
No man can serve two masters: for either he will hate the one, and את eth love the other; or else he will hold to the one, and despise the other. Ye cannot serve YAH and mammon. MATTITHYAHU (MATTHEW) 6:24
The new–birth is a summons to suit–up in the whole armor of YAH (Ephesians 6:10–18), because you are now in a spiritual battle, most often fought on the field of your mind. No Believer ever reaches sinless perfection on this side of eternity, but you do make the decision to sin long before the opportunity ever presents itself.
The most ignored and understated part of our personal accountability as true converts comes in verse thirty–three when The Son Of the Most High said, “So likewise, whoever of you does not forsake all that he has cannot be My disciple”, which flies in the face of the prosperity gospel and false doctrine taught ☀️SUNday mornings from coast to coast. Based on Yahusha’s stated qualifications for discipleship, are you His disciple? Or have you been DISQUALIFIED in your own deception?
Hope you have/had a good and obedient day.
Shalom,
Free Payne
...If you want to be free, you have to accept many painful truths...
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