THE DAILY CALL OF JESUS – UPON YOUR  LIFE.

The cross was not a relic, or a piece of Jewelry. It was an instrument of death. When the condemned man was found, he said good bye to his family, possessions and left them all behind. No man ever came off the cross alive when crucified! The cross was an instrument of death! Jesus said,”…and He said to them all, If any man will come after Me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross daily, and follow Me,”- Luke 9:23

“IF ANY MAN WILL COME AFTER ME…” Here is Jesus Invitation, His call. It is not about self fulfillment,  but service to Christ. Christ Business, Christ occupied. His call is to “COME AFTER ME…” Don’t think you can live apart from coming after Him. Don’t believe you can go before Him. You want to live in the security of eternal significance, then it is time to come to your senses and choose  to obey His command ,” … Come After Me.” This is a life and death decision. It is also preparation to be of use to the LORD in passing on to those who are dead in their sins and in need of the truth that Jesus chooses to set free. His command to you and through is Word to others is also and always, “…Come After Me…” Is A command to be obeyed! That does not mean a bed of roses, listen to Jesus when He says, “…Be on your guard against men; they will hand you over to the local councils and flog you in their synagogues. On my account you will be brought before governors and kings as witnesses to them and to the Gentiles. But when they arrest you, do not worry about what to say or how to say it. At that time you will be given what to say, for it will not be you speaking, but the Spirit of your Father speaking through you. “Brother will betray brother to death, and a father his child; children will rebel against their parents and have them put to death. All men will hate you because of Me, but he who stands firm to the end will be saved”- {Matthew 10:17-22}

Jesus shows following Him will cost. For the disciples, It  meant physical suffering. It afforded them opportunities to testify before those in high authority. It will bring division in families at times. It will mean being mistreated, hated, and divisive relationships. There is a cost to following Jesus, He says! And for those of us who follow Him today there is a cost. Some of the above may happen, but be assured, as Paul said – “Those who desire to live Godly shall suffer persecution.” There is at times, suffering involved, rejection, misunderstanding, hate, slander, as part and parcel of Coming After Him in obedience.

Its not about coming to Jesus so He may be your servant, but you abandoning yourself, dreams, desires, plans to seek to be a man, woman boy, girl, INTENT on following Jesus which implies…

THE CALL OF JESUS – UPON YOUR DAILY LIVING- Requires three attitudes that become habitual actions – which can be summed up in daily –
* Self denial,
* Self sacrifice and
* Self submission to Jesus!