Luke 9:23-24 Win, Win Decision~

This past several weeks have been great. There is one scripture though that I cannot get out of my mind. Luke 9:23-24 says "If anyone would come after me, he must deny himself and take up his cross daily and follow me. For whoever wants to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses His life for Me will save it." These are the 'Conditions' to becoming a true follower of Christ. Yesterday I pulled up Francis Chans 'The Cost of following Jesus' on youtube and it confirmed what God has been speaking to me these past several weeks.

Look at this verse slowly and reflect on what Jesus is saying. "If anyone were to come after me." First and foremost we have to come after Him. He is not out chasing people down and looking for new converts. When one hears the truh then they have to respond and come to Him."He must deny himself." In modern day evangelism we never mention that one has to 'deny' themselves. The truth is that people don't want to 'deny' themselves and so they want Jesus on their terms, not His. "Take up his cross daily." When is the last time you told people in your church or on the streets to take up their cross? When is the last time you have? Today people are to busy picking up the worldly passions lying in front of them and forget that we have a cross to bear for the sake of Christ and the world. "And Follow Me!" Truthfully, who and what are you following? Jesus said in Matthew that "Wisdom is proven by her actions." If we are truly following Him then it will never be about us. Last but not least is verse 24 "For whoever wants to save his life will lose it." Many try to save their lives by going to church, participating in Bible Studies, singing in choirs, and attending confrences, but that has nothing to do with 'losing' ones life. When there is a need are you always ready to forfeit your time or money your to give aide? Have you volunteered, served anyone without grumbling lately? "But whoever loses their life for me will save it." Is this us? Have we lost our lives to this world, and made ourselves and our resources available for Him. If not I pray that you recieved the Word of God that has been spoken and begin going after Jesus, denying yourself, picking up the cross daily, following Him and not yourself anymore, and lastly committ to dying to yourself and living for Him. This my friends is a "Win, win situation."