. . . until the going gets tough and we experience rejection and suffering.
Jesus said: “If any of you wants to be my follower, you must give up your own way, take up your cross daily, and follow me. If you try to hang on to your life, you will lose it. But if you give up your life for my sake, you will save it.” Luke 9:23-24 NLT
Jesus was speaking to His followers, not unbelievers. To deny yourself is to place Jesus’ glory ahead of your own, meaning less of us and more of Him. Being a follower of Jesus (a true disciple) is to live according to God’s comprehensive rule over every area of your life and to publicly identify with Jesus Christ, regardless of the opinions of others. Jesus told His disciples, “If they persecuted me, they will also persecute you.” John: 15:20 CSB
So many of us spend our lives striving to accumulate wealth, success, fame, power, and possessions. But as Billy Graham preached:
"You don’t see any U-Hauls following a hearse on the way to the graveyard. We can’t take any of it with us. Jesus said, “What should it profit a man if he gained the whole world and lost his own soul?”
Jesus taught his disciples to pursue spiritual treasures above physical ones, to value heaven more than earth. What earthly treasures are worth more than your soul and eternal spirit?
Our souls demand fellowship and communion with God. Only God can satisfy the longing and restlessness inside us because our souls were made by and for Him. Don’t let the pleasures of this world replace the true meaning and purpose for your life on earth. Don’t end up forfeiting an abundant life now (intimate personal relationship with Jesus) and an even greater reward in eternity.
Are you willing to pay the price?
Will you sacrifice more of yourself, so that God can work through you to be a blessing to others? Remember, YOU ARE WORTH THE LIFE OF GOD! I pray that you too will be overjoyed and eager to follow Jesus because we have been saved by the One who...