Following Jesus
"If anyone would come after Me, he must deny himself, and take up his cross and follow Me. For whoever wants to save his life will lose it but whoever loses his life for Me and for the gospel will save it. What good is it for a man to gain the whole world, yet forfeit his soul (Mark 8:34-36)?"
Over and over in His word, Jesus tells us to follow Him, but we must first understand what this looks like. To follow is defined as "to engage in as a calling or a way of life; to be or act in accordance with; to accept as authority." Following Jesus is a lifestyle. It is so much more than going to church or engaging in a Bible study, or helping the needy, or doing other good things; it is a relationship with the Lord Jesus. One where we abide in Him day after day, allowing Him to have His way in and through us. It is submitting to His lordship~His authority.
Many of the churches today preach a "feel good" message that if you follow Jesus, your life will free from trouble, you will become wealthy, everything will go smoothly and you will not suffer while here on the earth. This is not biblical and is a false doctrine. Jesus said "I have told you these things so that in Me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world (John 16:33).
"I consider our present sufferings are not worth comparing with the glory that will be revealed in us (Romans 8:18)."
"That I may know Him and the power of His resurrection and the fellowship of His sufferings, being conformed to His death (Philippians 3:10)."
"After you have suffered for a little while, the God of all grace, who called you to His eternal glory in Christ, will Himself perfect, confirm, strengthen and establish you (1 Peter 5:10)."
So as you can see, there is no question as to whether or not we will have trouble or suffer, but whatever we go through, no matter how hard, Jesus promises us we will have peace in Him. Please remember and hold on to the truth that God is sovereign; which means He is in complete control (no matter how out of control things may seem) and nothing happens that does not first pass through His loving, just, and faithful hands.
Let me also note that the Lord may choose to bless you financially or physically, because He loves to bless His children, however, being blessed by the Lord, is not about material possessions. It is His presence alone. It is peace that passes human understanding. It is knowing who you are in Christ. It is the fact that you have been made new and set free from the bondage of sin. It knowing you are no longer and enemy but a friend of God and an heir to His throne. It is knowing that your name is written in the Lamb's Book of Life and your eternity is forever sealed by the Holy Spirit (2 Corinthians 1:22).
To follow Jesus, is to lay aside our desires and our wants, and bringing them under the Lord Jesus. It is surrendering our will to His will; whatever that may be. It is loving Jesus more than anyone or anything in our lives. "If anyone comes to Me and does not hate father and mother, wife and children, brothers and sisters-yes, even their own life-such a person cannot be My disciple (Luke 14:26)." Please understand that in this context, the word "hate" is not as we think of hate. It means that in regards to our relationship with Christ, nothing or no one should come even remotely close. It is giving Him His rightful or proper place in our lives which is above all else.
Jesus is Lord of all or He is not Lord at all. He did not suffer and shed His blood for us to serve Him halfheartedly. There is no grey area when it comes to the Lord. You are either for Him or against Him. You should examine your heart to see if you are indeed in the faith. Has their been a true heart change; a transformation within you or are you just going through the motions? The time is now. Today is the day of salvation. Tomorrow is not promised. The Lord has said that He will not strive with man forever. "Then the Lord said, My Spirit will not contend with man forever, for he is mortal; his days will be a hundred and twenty years (Genesis 6:3)."
Pray and ask the Lord to reveal Himself to you, and give you assurance that you indeed belong to Him. His Spirit will testify with our spirit that we belong to Him (Romans 8:16). God is faithful and will never deny His word. Please don't be deceived into believing the lie that you have much time to do this. The time is now my friend. Blessings!
Over and over in His word, Jesus tells us to follow Him, but we must first understand what this looks like. To follow is defined as "to engage in as a calling or a way of life; to be or act in accordance with; to accept as authority." Following Jesus is a lifestyle. It is so much more than going to church or engaging in a Bible study, or helping the needy, or doing other good things; it is a relationship with the Lord Jesus. One where we abide in Him day after day, allowing Him to have His way in and through us. It is submitting to His lordship~His authority.
Many of the churches today preach a "feel good" message that if you follow Jesus, your life will free from trouble, you will become wealthy, everything will go smoothly and you will not suffer while here on the earth. This is not biblical and is a false doctrine. Jesus said "I have told you these things so that in Me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world (John 16:33).
"I consider our present sufferings are not worth comparing with the glory that will be revealed in us (Romans 8:18)."
"That I may know Him and the power of His resurrection and the fellowship of His sufferings, being conformed to His death (Philippians 3:10)."
"After you have suffered for a little while, the God of all grace, who called you to His eternal glory in Christ, will Himself perfect, confirm, strengthen and establish you (1 Peter 5:10)."
So as you can see, there is no question as to whether or not we will have trouble or suffer, but whatever we go through, no matter how hard, Jesus promises us we will have peace in Him. Please remember and hold on to the truth that God is sovereign; which means He is in complete control (no matter how out of control things may seem) and nothing happens that does not first pass through His loving, just, and faithful hands.
Let me also note that the Lord may choose to bless you financially or physically, because He loves to bless His children, however, being blessed by the Lord, is not about material possessions. It is His presence alone. It is peace that passes human understanding. It is knowing who you are in Christ. It is the fact that you have been made new and set free from the bondage of sin. It knowing you are no longer and enemy but a friend of God and an heir to His throne. It is knowing that your name is written in the Lamb's Book of Life and your eternity is forever sealed by the Holy Spirit (2 Corinthians 1:22).
To follow Jesus, is to lay aside our desires and our wants, and bringing them under the Lord Jesus. It is surrendering our will to His will; whatever that may be. It is loving Jesus more than anyone or anything in our lives. "If anyone comes to Me and does not hate father and mother, wife and children, brothers and sisters-yes, even their own life-such a person cannot be My disciple (Luke 14:26)." Please understand that in this context, the word "hate" is not as we think of hate. It means that in regards to our relationship with Christ, nothing or no one should come even remotely close. It is giving Him His rightful or proper place in our lives which is above all else.
Jesus is Lord of all or He is not Lord at all. He did not suffer and shed His blood for us to serve Him halfheartedly. There is no grey area when it comes to the Lord. You are either for Him or against Him. You should examine your heart to see if you are indeed in the faith. Has their been a true heart change; a transformation within you or are you just going through the motions? The time is now. Today is the day of salvation. Tomorrow is not promised. The Lord has said that He will not strive with man forever. "Then the Lord said, My Spirit will not contend with man forever, for he is mortal; his days will be a hundred and twenty years (Genesis 6:3)."
Pray and ask the Lord to reveal Himself to you, and give you assurance that you indeed belong to Him. His Spirit will testify with our spirit that we belong to Him (Romans 8:16). God is faithful and will never deny His word. Please don't be deceived into believing the lie that you have much time to do this. The time is now my friend. Blessings!
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