Message from Scripture: 5/25/2021

 

Our message from Scripture today is Luke 9:23; “Then he said to them all, ‘If anyone purposes to follow after me, let him deny himself, take up his cross daily, and follow me.”

 

In this passage of Scripture, Jesus tells us there are three things we must do if we are to truly be His disciples. He begins by reminding us we have to purpose, meaning to deliberately choose and determine to do it. It’s not to be a vague desire or abstract concept, but a commitment of the will to follow through and act on it.

 

First, we must deny ourselves. The term deny means to reject, to give up, to renounce one’s own character. We have to deny ourselves because we only get in the way of following Jesus by letting our will dominate over God’s will. No one can follow Christ who doesn’t put Him first in life, who allows his or her own desires to supersede what God wants.

 

Second, we must take up our cross daily. In Jesus’ day, this didn’t refer to the trials of life everyone endures, but it vividly illustrated a willingness to die, as the cross was a cruel instrument of death. Scripture reminds us, “This is how we have come to know love: He laid down His life for us. We should also lay down our lives for our brothers” (1 John 3:16).

 

Lastly, we must follow Him. The word follow means “to follow the same road.” Those walking with Him in life must follow His lead and act according to His example. John said, “The one who says he remains in Him should walk just as He walked” (1 John 2:6). We don’t just consider it, think about it, or come back to it at a later date; we must actually do it.

 

Today, let’s go out and serve our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, being imitators of Him (1 Cor. 11:1). It will make a difference in us and others. God bless.

 

Robert