Large crowds were traveling with Jesus and turning to them he said: “If anyone comes to me and does not hate father and mother, wife and children, brothers and sisters—yes, even their own life—such a person cannot be my disciple. And whoever does not carry their cross and follow me cannot be my disciple … In the same way, those of you who do not give up everything you have cannot be my disciples. (Luke 14:25-27,33)
This generation has failed to obey the great commandment to “go and make disciples of all nations.” It has substituted the idea of going and making converts for the command to go and make disciples. I rejoice in every person who makes the conversion from death to life, but I can only build my kingdom with those who are willing to be made disciples. This is the great weakness of my church today; it is filled with believers but contains almost no disciples. If a person puts his family before me, he is not my disciple. If a person is more concerned with his own life than my kingdom, he is not my disciple. If a person is not willing to die to self, he is not my disciple. The person who does not take everything he possesses and place it on the altar cannot be called my disciple. My kingdom requires more than believers, it desperately needs those willing to be made disciples. I place these demands on my disciples, not because self-sacrifice creates righteousness, but for the simple fact that self-sacrifice creates dependency. I can only use one who is willing to depend upon me for all things.
— July 13, 2020