Process 2!

Process 2!

Then said Jesus unto his disciples, If any man will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow me. Matthew 16:24 KJV

The Inspiration:

As was Jesus' custom, he had specific messages for the crowd and specific messages also for his disciples. Just before today's verse, he had challenged his disciples to be careful of the doctrines of the Pharisees and Saduccees. These sects knew all about the letter of the law but no idea of what God really required in that dispensation. As it was then, so is it now. We have become good in keeping up false appearances, holding on to a form of godliness, which looks very good on the outside but is of no eternal benefit. At this time, the message wasn't for the crowd but for all those he had gathered together, who had agreed to submit to His leadership and follow Him wholeheartedly. He does not compel anyone to follow Him but if I desire to, I have to learn the right way to do it. 

The Contention:

This is where the verse before us today starts. There is a choice all of us must make, and we have but very limited time to do so. The door is open to all men who are on the earth, but we don't have forever to make up our minds. Every day we wake up takes us a day closer to our appointment for judgement. The choice before me is to decide what to do with Jesus. Every other thing is temporary and as long as it was made or acquired with the resources of the earth, they will all perish with the earth. I need to focus on that which will outlive this earth, and the only One who will is the One who created the heaven and the earth. He alone is eternal, and He wants me to also live with Him in eternity. This desire will only find reality if my life meets with and surrenders to Jesus, accepting Him as Lord and Saviour. 

The Conclusion:

This is what makes my journey of life worth it. It involves denying myself and all the desires that will limit the work of God in me. I surrender total control to God, so He can lead, guide and direct me daily. There is a cross to bear, because following Jesus always costs something. It is not a call to comfort as defined by the world, but comfort from the presence of God in the midst of the storm. Storms will come; the winds will blow but as long as my eyes are fixed on the One who called me to follow Him, I will be fine. With denying myself and taking up my cross also comes following Jesus. These are the complete steps; you can't pick and choose the one that makes life easy for you. If my walk with and work for God will be acceptable, these are the steps. Anything else is just noise. God's time of favour is here.