"It's Decent!" (Luke 14:26)

“How did you like the movie?”

“It’s decent.”

“How about the restaurant?”

“It’s decent.”

Decent is the answer one of my employees gives whenever he is asked to give his opinion. As he explained, it’s a great answer since it is always positive without being specific. It also doesn’t place any expectations upon you to have to explain your position.

Clever!

So often, I search for the proper words to be politically correct, not wishing to offend. In fact, I probably spend far too much mental energy attempting to avoid this social land mines. This is in stark contrast to Jesus Christ. He did not mince His words-ever. One example has been distorted by liberal critics and non-believers alike.

If anyone comes to me and does not hate his own father and mother and wife and children and brothers and sisters, yes, and even his own life, he cannot be my disciple.

Luke 14:26 (ESV)

Did Jesus really mean to hate everything that most people hold dear? Hate even your own life? The answer comes with the very next verse.

Whoever does not bear his own cross and come after me cannot be my disciple.

Luke 14:27 (ESV)

Jesus is setting forth the highest standard for a child of God. He forsook His own life to obey God the Father and redeem us for our sins. If He faltered one moment, if He had any doubt that He should preserve His life or cling to His own family or this world, we would never have salvation. All would be lost if Jesus did not hold Himself to this highest standard. And He is commanding us to live to this highest standard as well. No political correctness, just a blunt reality.

Following Jesus is not decent, it is not politically correct. The highest expectations are placed upon us when we chose Him as our Lord and Savior. It is positive and very specific.

Love and trust the Lord; seek His will in your life.