Visitors to Greece see many half-built homes and other structures scattered on hillsides, unfinished, abandoned, and horrible eyesores. They are the result of a long, painful economic downturn, where banks failed and people had no money to complete their dream homes and investment buildings. People were forced to abandon their dreams because they did not have sufficient money to complete them.
This illustrates a truth Jesus spoke about to His would-be disciples. He said those who ponder whether to follow Him ought to realize they are making a life-changing decision to give up the idea of what they expect their lives to be. They are transferring their loyalty from self, their family, and their own self-centered life pursuits to Him. We read Jesus’ words in Luke Chapter 14, “If you want to be my disciple, you must, by comparison, hate everyone else—your father and mother, wife and children, brothers and sisters—yes, even your own life. Otherwise, you cannot be my disciple.” Jesus Christ has such authority and is so worthy that love of self, family, or anyone else must not compete with devotion to Him.
Dr. Melvin E. Banks, Sr.
Dr. Melvin E. Banks, Sr. is the founder and chairman of UMI (Urban Ministries, Inc.). Under his direction, UMI has grown to be a leading publisher of Christian education resources for churches in the African American community. Read More
