The Price of True Discipleship

When Jesus Christ said “come, follow me,” he was not referring only to those Springtime days when he walked the roads of Galilee with a full and contented satisfaction that all was well. No, he was more particularly referring to those times when he was mocked, persecuted, falsely accused or hated, when life was heartbreakingly difficult.

We cannot expect to dwell in the presence of Christ and our Father unless we have done what they asked of us. This starts with repentance, but continues through the gate of baptism and on to the covenants we make in holy temples. Then we spend our whole life in His service, enduring the challenges that come while walking steadfastly in the faith to the very end. When we have done that, and forsaken the cares of the world to do his will, when we have truly done as Christ would do if he were us, as imperfectly as we may stumblingly do, then we can claim our place in heaven.

Of course we cannot earn our way into heaven on justification alone. All of this would be impossible if not for the grace and atoning sacrifice of our Savior. But if we are willing to shoulder our cross, whatever it may be or however heavy it may become, and be nailed to it with Christ our Lord, oh, then we will understand.

This is the price of true discipleship. Anything less could not lift us to the place where they are. And the sublime joy and peace we can experience, even while carrying our cross, will be worth every effort it takes.

(painting my Liz Lemon Swindle)