Identifying and Overcoming Personal Limitations in Following Jesus
Identifying Personal Limitations in Following Jesus
Following Jesus involves acknowledging and overcoming personal limitations. The biblical basis for this concept is rooted in Jesus' teachings and the experiences of early Christians. Jesus himself set an example of self-denial, stating that he came not to do his own will, but the will of the Father who sent him [1]. This self-denial is a crucial aspect of following Jesus, as it involves being willing to forgo personal comforts and agendas.
The cost of discipleship is a recurring theme in the Gospels. Jesus warns potential followers that they must be prepared to take up their cross and follow him, even if it means sacrificing family ties and personal security [4, 7]. In Luke 9:57-62, Jesus encounters three individuals who express their willingness to follow him, but he cautions them about the challenges they will face [3]. For instance, Jesus tells one would-be follower that "foxes have holes and birds of the air have nests, but the Son of Man has nowhere to lay his head" [5]. This statement highlights the difficulties and uncertainties that come with following Jesus.
The Apostle Paul's writings also emphasize the importance of recognizing personal limitations in the pursuit of spiritual growth. In Philippians 3:12, Paul acknowledges that he has not yet attained spiritual perfection, but continues to strive towards it, saying "I follow after, if I may by any means apprehend, wherein I am also apprehended by Christ Jesus" [2]. This attitude of humility and recognition of one's limitations is essential for spiritual progress.
The early Church Fathers also grappled with the concept of personal limitations in following Jesus. Augustine, in his Homilies on John, reflects on Jesus' statement "now is my soul troubled" and notes that Jesus' own experience of weakness can aid the believer's endurance [6]. Similarly, in his Anti-Pelagian writings, Augustine cites Paul's statement in Philippians 3:12 as evidence that even the apostle acknowledged his own limitations and continued to strive for spiritual growth [8].
Overcoming Personal Limitations
Overcoming personal limitations requires a deepening understanding of one's own weaknesses and a commitment to spiritual growth. The Reformed tradition emphasizes the importance of self-examination in preparing for communion, noting that participants should examine themselves for their knowledge, faith, repentance, love, and new obedience [9]. This process of self-examination can help individuals identify areas where they need to grow and develop.
The Eastern Orthodox tradition also highlights the importance of ongoing spiritual growth and sanctification. John Chrysostom, in his Homilies on Galatians–Colossians–Thessalonians, notes that believers should continually strive to please God and abound more and more in their faith [10].
Sources
- Torrey's Topical Textbook “Torrey's Topical Textbook: Self-Denial — Christ set an example of -- Mt 4:8-10; 8:20; Joh 6:38; Ro 15:3; Php 2:6-8. A test of devotedness to Christ -- Mt 10:37,38; Lu 9:23,24. Necessary In following Christ. -- Lu 14:27-33. In the warfare of saints. -- 2Ti 2:4. To the triumph of saints. -- 1Co 9:25-27. Ministers especially called to exercise -- 2Co 6:4,5. Should be exercised in Denying ungodliness and worldly lusts. -- Ro 6:12; Tit 2:12. Controlling the appetite. -- Pr 23:2. Abstaining from fleshly lusts. -- 1Pe 2:11. No longer living to lusts of men. -- 1Pe 4:2. Mortifying sinful lusts. -- Mr ”
- Philippians “Philippians 3:12 (DRC) — Not as though I had already attained, or were already perfect: but I follow after, if I may by any means apprehend, wherein I am also apprehended by Christ Jesus.”
- Luke (Nonconformist/Puritan) “Matthew Henry on Luke 9:57: We have here an account of three several persons that offered themselves to follow Christ, and the answers that Christ gave to each of them. The two former we had an account of in Mat 19:21. I. Here is one that is extremely forward to follow Christ immediately, but seems to have been too rash, hasty, and inconsiderate, and not to have set down and counted the cost. 1. He makes Christ a very large promise (Luk 9:57): As they went in the way, going up to Jerusalem, where it was expected Christ would first appear in his glory, one said to him, Lord, I will follow thee ”
- Matthew (Protestant academic) “Tyndale House on Matthew 10:37: 10:37-39 The cross was a Roman instrument of torture and execution (27:27-55). To take up your cross and follow Jesus involves loving him above all other things and being willing to follow him regardless of the physical or social consequences.”
- Matthew (Protestant academic) “Tyndale House on Matthew 8:20: 8:20 Following Jesus is not easy; it involves more than intellectual mastery. Following Jesus entails being willing to forgo life’s normal comforts.”
- Schaff ANF/NPNF (Patristic) “NPNF1 Vol 7: Augustine — Homilies on John — CHAPTER XII. 27-36. (part 2): words has suddenly transported me from the weakness that was mine to the strength that was His, that I hear saying, "Now is my soul troubled." What does it mean? How biddest Thou my soul follow Thee if I behold Thine own troubled? How shall I endure what is felt to be heavy by strength so great? What is the kind of foundation I can seek if the Rock is giving way? But me-thinks I hear in my own thoughts the Lord giving me an answer, saying, Thou shall follow me the better, because it is to aid thy power of endurance that ”
- Mark (Protestant academic) “Tyndale House on Mark 8:34: 8:34-38 Jesus’ invitation to his disciples and the crowd lays out the cost of being his follower. • To give up your own way involves letting Jesus determine your goals and purposes in life. To take up your cross is metaphorical (cp. Luke 9:23); it indicates that faithfulness to Jesus must extend, if required, even to the point of death. To follow Jesus’ teaching and example is a continual commitment.”
- Schaff ANF/NPNF (Patristic) “NPNF1 Vol 5: Augustine — Anti-Pelagian — CHAP. 20.--PAUL WORTHY TO BE THE PRINCE OF THE APOSTLES, AND YET A SINNER. (part 2): also in the very gospel itself, wherein he deserved the pre-eminence of his great apostleship. Now I would not venture to say this if I did not deem it very wrong to refuse credence to himself. He extends the passage which we have quoted, and says: "Not as though I had already attained, or were already perfect; but I follow after, if I may comprehend that for which also I am apprehended in Christ Jesus. Brethren, I count not myself to have apprehended: but this one thin”
- CCEL (Reformed (Old Princeton)) “Charles Hodge, Systematic Theology, Vol. 3, section 68: this sacrament demands should exist in the heart, without producing supreme love and gratitude to Christ, and the fixed purpose to forsake all sin and to live devoted to his service. Our Church, therefore, teaches that it is required of them who would worthily partake of the Lord’s Supper, that they examine themselves, of their knowledge to discern the Lord’s body, of their faith to feed upon Him, of their repentance, love, and new obedience. It is, however, not to be inferred from this that a man must be assured that he is a true believe”
- CCEL/NPNF (Eastern Orthodox) “John Chrysostom, Homilies on Galatians–Colossians–Thessalonians: 344 Homily V. 1 Thessalonians iv. 1–3 “Finally then, brethren, we beseech and exhort you in the Lord Jesus, that, as ye received of us how ye ought to walk and to please God, so ye abound more and more. For ye know what charge we gave you through the Lord Jesus Christ. For this is the will of God, even your sanctification.” When he has met what was pressing, and what was upon his hands, and is about henceforth to enter upon things that are perpetual, and which they ought continually to hear, he adds this expression, “finally,” th”