(Synoptics: Matthew 8:18-22) Matthew now tells us of two wrong approaches to Christ. One was much too forward, and the other was much too slow, but both thought they wanted to follow him.
Often when people come in too much hurry, it is because they think they have seen benefits for themselves. Or they come because they think there is help for them: security in the afterlife, less fear of death, or it calms a troubled conscience. Some say, ‘It gives me peace within, to come to church.’ I wish it would do the opposite, and give them a strong sense of wrath. Maybe there is some conviction, but they do not see that they are sinners under condemnation, and bound for hell.
Some come to Christ like this. They don’t realise what they say. They should say, ‘I will love thee, give my life to thee, and be under thy government.’ They think they can still live for possessions, career, but avoid the worst sins by cleaning up a little, but they don’t realise the life of a disciple is a life of communion with God, daily prayer, sincere repentance. Not that it is hard to be saved. Salvation is free, but we must ask for a new life. If you are going to say this, you must understand what you say. It means a new life, being under his government.
Sadly, even some Christians try to live like this. At first you repented, but now the devil says, you can go back to your old life to some extent. You don’t have to give your life in service. The devil can turn us a long way back to where we were before.