9 AUG 23 Wednesday: A Closer Walk Devotional
“Then calling the crowd to join his disciples, he said, “If any of you wants to be my follower, you must give up your own way, take up your cross, and follow me. If you try to hang on to your life, you will lose it. But if you give up your life for my sake and for the sake of the Good News, you will save it.” Mark 8:34-35
One of the great things that Jesus does in his ministry is being forthright and blunt. He does not sugarcoat his call on your life and does not hide the difficulties you will face. There are things that will be true about your life if you desire to belong to Jesus. There are no rose-colored glasses or promises of health, wealth, and prosperity on this adventure. If you are being told that by a pastor or friend, they are promoting a lie.
If you want to follow Jesus, you must give up your life and the way you desire to live it. That is a hard thing to do for most people. They have plans, dreams, and goals that they want to achieve. Jesus says, what will it mean to you if you gain the world and lose your soul? The rich young ruler walked away because he loved his life, his possessions, and the future he was building. Jesus did not die for you in order for you to do what you please.
You were already living for yourself and God was paying your wages in death. When you understand that Jesus purchased your life with ‘his’ death, you will live for him and not yourself. Jesus gives you life in exchange for the death you were supposed to die. If you think you are his follower and don’t do what he says, you will face a horrible reality. Jesus will say he “never” knew you.
We are also to take up our own cross. We must understand that we will suffer for being a Christian. We will be mocked and dismissed because of him. We will be insulted and labeled with many names and lies. We will lose jobs, be beaten, jailed and some killed because we belong to him. If we are not receiving any of this, we may not be living for him. If you are obedient to Jesus you will see fruit and will suffer.
Are you living your best life now or living for Jesus?
Reading Plan: Psalm 119:97-120; 2 Sam. 9:1-13; Acts 19:1-10; Mark 8:34-9:1
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