Beloved, here we will be looking at the prerequisite of saintcraft, since it is based on proper training the saint must therefore be properly motivated to embark on the saintcraft of discipleship, without which the saint simply remains in the crowd.
The Lord Jesus is interested in us learning and practicing the will of God thereby showing ourselves as disciples not just as part of the crowd. For this to be possible, one must become conscious of a better level than the present level, a better situation than the present situation, a better life than the present life.
The dissatisfaction of once current state of affairs and a hope for a better future is the driving force for all seekers of truth. This dissatisfaction is the foundation or the beginning of discipleship.
25 Large crowds were traveling with Jesus, and turning to them he said:
26 "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.
27 And anyone who does not carry his cross and follow me cannot be my disciple.
28 "Suppose one of you wants to build a tower. Will he not first sit down and estimate the cost to see if he has enough money to complete it?
29 For if he lays the foundation and is not able to finish it, everyone who sees it will ridicule him,
30 saying, 'This fellow began to build and was not able to finish.'
31 "Or suppose a king is about to go to war against another king. Will he not first sit down and consider whether he is able with ten thousand men to oppose the one coming against him with twenty thousand?
32 If he is not able, he will send a delegation while the other is still a long way off and will ask for terms of peace.
33 In the same way, any of you who does not give up everything he has cannot be my disciple.
(Luke 14:25-33 NIV)
Please notice that in the text above the Lord uses the phrase “cannot be my disciple” three times. Each one of these times was addressing a specific dimension of our being.
The first time, which is in verse 26; refers to dissatisfaction in relationships, social situations, in short dissatisfaction with life in terms of our experience of human interactions.
The second time, which is in verse 27; refers to dissatisfaction in terms of personal achievements and a sense of the enormous responsibilities that one has to carry, yet not forgetting the invitation to follow christ all the way.
This is to do with a deep sitted willingness to face once problems instead of running away, concluding that the matter is impossible. This is why people turn to alcohol, drugs, sex, money, etc to try to avoid the heart's promptings on the very things, they are trying to avoid. If you are not willing to face your problems then you are not yet ready for discipleship.
The third time, which is in verse 33; refers to dissatisfaction in terms of economic and financial affiars. One must get to the point where by, everything they have means nothing to them but the desire for Christ.
So people of God, the beginning of discipleship is when one becomes aware even at a near unconscious level the immense possibilities that are available for us as human beings to enjoy in Christ hence letting go of all things in order to gain Christ.
Are you there yet?