Mark 8:34-37 (NLT)
Then, calling the crowd to join his disciples, he said, “If any of you wants to be my follower, you must turn from your selfish ways, 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. And what do you benefit if you gain the whole world but lose your own soul? Is anything worth more than your soul?
For most of us Jesus Freaks, we love to share and live the Gospel, the Good News. To dwell on Jesus loving us, dying for us, being resurrected, preparing an eternal home for us, and showering us with blessings. To ponder the deep and intricate creativity which wove everything from the distant reaches of the universe to our frail human bodies. To shout praises about healings and miracles and victory reports and answered prayers. To share the love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, gentleness, and self control with a world in desperate need of it.
For many of us, however, this is where the Gospel stops. We shield our eyes, thoughts, and faith from the other side of following Christ- the cost. Nestled behind the glamorous veneer of following Christ is the paradox. Jesus' statement about the cost of following him, of being gifted with all these things. Like a string of Manny Pacquiao jabs and punches, Jesus unloads-
1. If you want to follow me, you have to do just that: follow! (As in, give up control).
2. You have to die to yourself. “Self sacrifice is the way, my way, to saving yourself, your true self.” (verse 35, The Message)
3. Gain the world…or your soul. Your choice!
Going to complete these thoughts tomorrow. For the remainder of your devotional time today, focus on the application.
Application: Take the time to ask yourself about the three issues Jesus brings up. Now take an honest appraisal of yourself. Are you living them out? Would you, as John (the Pastor, not the Baptist) asks often, be convicted of being a Christian based on your adherence to these principles? Write down your thoughts.
