Matthew 10:37

“He who loves father or mother more than Me is not worthy of Me. And he who loves son or daughter more than Me is not worthy of Me.”

We were taught that Jesus calls everyone to follow Him and that by merely making a prayer of faith, you belonged to Christ and all was well. Yes, coming in is easy but staying with Jesus and following Jesus isn’t. It’s actually very costly and demanding to follow Jesus. Jesus is a King and He demands total loyalty from those who dare to follow Him. Of course, He’s a benevolent leader and does not operate a tyranny; however, He does demand total loyalty. He’s not a tyrant, but a King who is worthy to be lovingly followed because of all He has done for us.

For this reason, love is His demand. Loyalty must be born and steeped in supreme love. He doesn’t run a dictatorship, but a Kingdom, where His subjects are His lovers and they place their love for Him of higher premium than love for any other being. Love for the King is the currency of the Kingdom. If we truly belong to Him, then the vital test we will be faced with, again and again, is the test of love. Is there anything or anyone that competes with your love loyalty? To be worthy of His Kingdom, we must continually pass the love test.

“I know it’s not my programs and activities that excite Your heart. I know You don’t really need anything I have or can give You, for all actually belong to You. I know Your desire and requirement is simply my supreme love and loyalty to You. Jesus, I have failed in this so many times and I continue to fail. Extend a new grace to me today, so that I can rise from these ashes, into the pure flame of unadulterated love for You. Amen.”