“Jesus, I give my whole life for you.”
Thoughts from daily Bible reading for today – June 11, 2024
Whoever says he abides in him ought to walk in the same way in which he walked. 1 John 2:6
If someone asked me to share my favorite Scripture, I might share Philippians 4:13, which says “I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me” or Proverbs 3:5-6 or John 3:16. In fact, there are many inspiring verses I would share as favorites, but there is one that I wouldn’t because it feels difficult. In fact, it can feel impossible to do.
In Matthew 16:24, Jesus says, “Whoever wants to be my disciple must deny themselves and take up their cross and follow me” and in Luke 14:27, Jesus says, “Whoever does not bear his own cross and come after me cannot be my disciple.”
“Cannot be my disciple.”
Those are some powerful, strong words. Jesus is saying “I want you to give me your whole life. You are not your own. If you don’t deny yourself, you can’t follow me. It’s impossible. If you live for yourself, you aren’t living for me.” Certainly, people are called to different vocations, but all of us are called to give up our worldly lives and dedicate ourselves to Christ.
Taking up one’s cross means daily surrender and obedience. And, we are called to not love anything in the world because if we do, then the love of the Father is not in us. Jesus says we must decide who we will serve if we want to follow Him and belong to Him. We are called to crucify our selfish, fleshly, lusty, worldly interests.
But laying down our lives for Christ runs so contrary to our carnal and human nature, doesn’t it? We want to embrace the world and embrace Jesus too. We want to serve ourselves and serve Jesus too. We want to love the world, material possessions, money, and our plans and love Jesus too. I get it. I’ve been considering my commitment to Christ a lot these days.
But there is such good news in this difficult truth! Taking up one’s cross doesn’t mean life will be miserable and void of joy. It means life will be meaningful, filled with the good fruit that comes from righteousness and righteous living. We will also receive eternal rewards from Christ for our commitment to Him and He also says, “Whoever wants to save their life will lose it, but whoever loses their life for me will find it” (Luke 9:24).
However, when I think about taking up my cross and following Jesus, I can feel overwhelmed and discouraged. “God! It’s too hard! I can’t do it!” Considering giving up my entire life for the rest of my life feels impossible. Thankfully, Jesus only asks us to follow Him one moment at a time, one day at a time. He has also given His life as an example to us. Not only that, but He is with us to help us follow Him. There is no need to try and obey by brute determination or become legalistic or fearful.
In Psalm 32:8, He says He will closely counsel us.
In Proverbs 3:5-6, He says He will make our paths straight.
Isaiah 48:17 says He is the God who leads us in the way we should go.
And (hallelujah!) in Matthew 11:29-30 Jesus says that He is gentle and humble in heart and that His yoke is easy and His burden is light. He is not a harsh taskmaster, demanding that we follow Him or else! He has commanded us to follow Him because we are His children, He loves us, and He knows what is best for us. If He died for us on the cross and laid down His very life, won’t He graciously give us all things?
There is no greater love! Jesus gave His life for me. I want to follow Him. Will you join me in a renewed commitment to take up your cross, lay down your life, and follow Him today?
“Everyone then who hears these words of mine and does them will be like a wise man who built his house on a rock.” (Matthew 7:24)
Prayer
Jesus, I give my whole life for however you want to use me. I give up my own rights and claim my place as your beloved child and I receive the inheritance that you have for me as I follow you. I give up my rights to comfort, getting my own way, and living my own life according to my agenda. I give up my life to serve and follow you. I know this is best for me and it glorifies you and above all, I know that you love me more than I can imagine. Amen.
Application
Is there any area of your life that God is asking you to lay down for Him? Or, is there something He wants you to do to follow Him more fully?
Related Reading
Philippians 2:7-8; John 15:10-14; John 13:15; 1 Peter 2:21-22
Worship Resource
Awakening Worship: I Surrender All
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