Luke 9:23-24 And he said to all, “If anyone would come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross daily and follow me. For whoever would save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for my sake will save it.
This isn’t just for some Christians, professional Christians like pastors and missionaries and leaders of Christian organizations. Jesus said to ALL: Do you want to follow Me? Deny yourself. Take up your cross daily. The only reason someone would have picked up a cross was because they were about to die on it. Jesus said that we need to be ready to die for Him every day. Then, He said, follow Me. Save your life by losing it in Me.
Paul said, “I die every day.” We must give ourselves to Jesus every day. It’s so easy to go through life like you are floating on the Lazy River. You know the one. The one where you sit on an inner tube, soak up the sun, and float. Nothing happens. There might be a waterfall, but you can avoid it if you want. You don’t have to do anything. You just float. And when you get to the end, you get off.
Too many professing Christians are living on the lazy river. But I have news for you if that is your life. Jesus said to take up your cross, to live for Him by dying daily.
What did it cost Jesus to save you? Everything. He became human for all eternity. He died. He took your sin and mine upon Himself, becoming sin. He endured hell so we would never have to. Is He worthy of whatever you will sacrifice for Him?
This isn’t just for some Christians, professional Christians like pastors and missionaries and leaders of Christian organizations. Jesus said to ALL: Do you want to follow Me? Deny yourself. Take up your cross daily. The only reason someone would have picked up a cross was because they were about to die on it. Jesus said that we need to be ready to die for Him every day. Then, He said, follow Me. Save your life by losing it in Me.
Paul said, “I die every day.” We must give ourselves to Jesus every day. It’s so easy to go through life like you are floating on the Lazy River. You know the one. The one where you sit on an inner tube, soak up the sun, and float. Nothing happens. There might be a waterfall, but you can avoid it if you want. You don’t have to do anything. You just float. And when you get to the end, you get off.
Too many professing Christians are living on the lazy river. But I have news for you if that is your life. Jesus said to take up your cross, to live for Him by dying daily.
What did it cost Jesus to save you? Everything. He became human for all eternity. He died. He took your sin and mine upon Himself, becoming sin. He endured hell so we would never have to. Is He worthy of whatever you will sacrifice for Him?