“Then Jesus told his disciples, “If anyone would come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross and follow me. For whoever would save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for my sake will find it.” (Matthew 16:24-25)
Do you want to follow Jesus, the Savior of the world? According to His own lips, there are three required actions: self-denial, picking up an object of torture, and pursuing Him. Basically, scrap all of the plans that you had for your life and be single-minded in your devotion to Him. In fact, losing your own life is a prerequisite for finding life in Him. These words are imperatives. They are required. It’s not like you can skirt around them and expect to find life in Jesus. So… how is it going with you? I confess that for me personally, pain and self-denial are hard. I want what I want and I want it NOW! Following the words of Jesus, makes no sense to my carnal mind! And yet His Words are true whether I want them to be or not! So I have an invitation for all of you. Join me in losing our lives! For His sake! That we might live.
By: Pastor Jay Mast
