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A few days ago, I had the opportunity to go deer hunting with my dad. We got up early in the morning and sat out in the middle of the woods while the mosquitoes had a buffet on our arms and legs, waiting for a deer. The thought of having some nice, fresh deer sausage kept me in the woods longer than it should have.
I can't help but think of the effort that we put in to capture a deer. I wore a shirt that allowed me to blend in with the tree beside me and a hat that blends in with the shirt, wondering if the deer would be awestruck at my fashion and decide not to run away. Waking up super early with only coffee in my stomach, sitting in the woods for hours... all because I was excited to catch a deer and share the meat with my family.
The interesting thing about coming to Christ is that we will put in lots of work for everything besides making a disciple. The memory of how the deer tasted kept me in the woods with mosquitoes constantly all over me. I was willing to wake up early, go without food, change my wardrobe and wait for hours just to share this delicious tasting meat with the people I care about.
A thought comes to mind — Have we actually tasted salvation if we aren’t willing to go to extreme lengths to make another disciple?
The interesting thing about the Bible is that it says that whenever someone comes to Christ, all of Heaven rejoices. We know that they are rejoicing from Heaven because they, too, have tasted salvation.
"I tell you, in the same way there will be more joy in heaven over one sinner who repents than over ninety-nine righteous people who have no need of repentance." - Luke 15:7 AMP
"Likewise, I say unto you, there is joy in the presence of the angels of God over one sinner that repenteth." - Luke 15:10 KJV
We also see in the Bible that Paul said that he is willing to become whatever he needs to become to win over a lost soul.
"19 For though I be free from all men, yet have I made myself servant unto all, that I might gain the more. 20 And unto the Jews I became as a Jew, that I might gain the Jews; to them that are under the law, as under the law, that I might gain them that are under the law; 21 To them that are without law, as without law, (being not without law to God, but under the law to Christ,) that I might gain them that are without law. 22 To the weak became I as weak, that I might gain the weak: I am made all things to all men, that I might by all means save some. 23 And this I do for the gospel's sake, that I might be partaker thereof with you." - 1 Corinthians 9:19-23 KJV
What I’ve realized is that we also will become whatever we need to become to capture the things we want in life. But when it comes to making disciples, there are only a few things that we are truly willing to do.
Jesus says that the Kingdom of Heaven is like a treasure, and once a man captures it, he forsakes everything in his life for it.
"44 Again, the kingdom of heaven is like unto treasure hid in a field; the which when a man hath found, he hideth, and for joy thereof goeth and selleth all that he hath, and buyeth that field. 45 Again, the kingdom of heaven is like unto a merchant man, seeking goodly pearls: 46 Who, when he had found one pearl of great price, went and sold all that he had, and bought it." - Matthew 13:44-46 KJV
We see this to be true with many of the followers of Jesus in the Bible.
"27 Then answered Peter and said unto him, Behold, we have forsaken all, and followed thee; what shall we have therefore?" - Matthew 19:27 KJV
"27 After these things He went out and saw a tax collector named Levi, sitting at the tax office. And He said to him, “Follow Me.” 28 So he left all, rose up, and followed Him." - Luke 5:27-28 NKJV
If we’re being honest, our lack of urgency in making disciples proves that the majority of people that claim to be saved haven’t really tasted salvation themselves.
Think about your favorite food — Cheesecake or steak, for example. Whenever it is being prepared, what else do you think about? Ask yourself: Would you have the same desire for it if you never tasted it? Would you still be craving it?
"Brothers and sisters, I do not consider that I have made it my own yet; but one thing I do: forgetting what lies behind and reaching forward to what lies ahead," - Philippians 3:13 AMP
Jesus came to earth with one goal in mind — To get as many people as possible to experience the taste of salvation. He, Himself, came from heaven, so He knew first hand what was on the other side.
But Jesus answered them, “My Father has been working until now [He has never ceased working], and I too am working.” - John 5:17 AMP
I always ask myself this question: If I die today, can I honestly say that there was nothing else on my agenda than making disciples? That answer was a “yes” for Jesus. In order for us to spend eternity with Him, our answer must be the same.
Question of the Day: I know you know about salvation, but have you actually tasted it?