The Scariest Verse in the Bible

It's a fact that throughout centuries, many have sought an explanation for human existence apart from an all-knowing, all-powerful God. Charles Darwin is not a new thing.

To admit God's existence is to accept a moral authority over our lives - something unnatural to the human mind. "The sinful mind is hostile to God. It does not submit to God's law, nor it can do so." (Romans 8:7)

That's the world we live in. Mankind does not want to be told what to do. Every one of us must make a critical choice. The more we discover about the beginning of our universe - and the complexity and evident design within it - the worse our excuse to reject its Creator.

"For since the creation of the world God's invisible qualities - His eternal power and divine nature - have been clearly seen, being understood from what has been made, so that men are without excuse."(Romans 1:20)

What kind of God does nature reveal? Nature shows us a God of might, intelligence and intricate detail; a God of order and beauty; a God who controls power forces. That is general revelation. Through special revelation (Bible and the coming of Jesus), we learn about God's love and forgiveness and the promise of eternal life.

God reveals His divine and personal qualities, even though creation's testimony have been distorted by the fall. Adam and Eve's sin resulted in a divine curse upon the whole natural order; thorns and thistles were an immediate result, and natural disasters have common since then. The apostle Paul says that nature itself is eagerly awaiting its own redemption from the effects of sin.

How about you? Do you believe in God? Just as importantly, do you believe God? These are simple questions with straightforward answers, but as the prophet Jeremiah explained,

"The heart is deceitful above all things and beyond cure. Who can understand it?" (Jeremiah 17:9)

Surely, though, that cannot mean your heart or mine? Don't be too sure. True Christianity is more than an intellectual exercise; when taken seriously, it changes lives. The conscientious Bible student ought not remain unchanged. Hard decisions must be made.

"Do not merely listen to the word, and so deceive yourselves. Do what it says. Anyone who listens to the word but does not do what it says is like a man who looks at his face in a mirror and, after looking at himself, goes away and immediately forgets what he looks like." (James 1:22-24)

Why is it that so few act on the truth revealed? How can they read God's word and walk away from the mirror of His perfect law - the law that brings liberty?

Jesus' question is as relevant today as it was in the first century: "Why do you call me, 'Lord, Lord', and do not do what I say?

People may agree with what they hear, but do they change? Usually not.

Mainstream Christianity is a far cry from that of Jesus and His first-century followers; it is a counterfeit that sets aside a different day for weekly worship, observes annual days different from those Jesus kept, holds out a different reward for those who answer the call, and proclaims a different end for the disobedient. The Apostle Paul warned the Church of God at Corinth that it was following the wrong leaders. Its ministers were teaching a counterfeit Jesus, coming to them with a different spirit, and proclaiming a different message. And, Paul said, the Corinthians "may well put up with it!". A Requirement for discipleship that brings me to what should be the scariest verse in the Bible. It reaches to the heart of why so many refuse to change. It explains why some recognize that Jesus is the "Lord of the Sabbath" - the seventh day - yet don't change from the sun-worshipping first day of the week, consecrated by Emperor Constantine in the fourth century AD. It explains why most who know the true origins of Christmas and Easter would rather hang onto these heathen-originated practices than keep the days Jesus and His followers kept. It explains why so few professing Christians are willing to come into harmony with the book they say they believe as the inspired word of God.

What is that scariest of all scriptures? What does it mean for you? Read it. Meditate on it. Here it is: "If anyone comes to me and does not hate his father and mother, his wife and children, his brothers and sisters - yes, even his own life - he cannot be my disciple." (Luke 14:26)

You have to agree with me that this the scripture where the rubber meets the road. It is not an easy requirement for discipleship - and, oh, how some hate the word requirement - but it is why Jesus tells us we must "Enter through the narrow gate. For wide is the gate and broad is the road that leads to destruction, and many enter through it. But small is the gate and narrow the road that leads to life, and only a few find it." (Matthew 7:13-14)

Don't be as the man who looks in the mirror, sees a problem, and walks away. Be strong, be courageous, and do what Jesus said. While there are those trying to do away with the need for a Creator, others create Him in their own image, fearing family and friends more than they fear the true God. Christian discipleship is not easy, and this should be obvious to any who read the Bible. As you, dear friend, it is my prayer that God will open your eyes and give you the strength to live by His word - scary though it may seem at first - because the reward is beyond compare.