“And He was saying to them all, “If anyone wishes to come after Me, he must deny Himself, and take up his cross daily and follow Me.”-{Luke 9:23}
” FOLLOW ME.”
Literally, “Let him be following Me.” It’s a continual pattern of loving obedience. Your will for self is out, your plans are out. Your life on your terms for yourself is out. He is In! He is IN control. He has been submitted to totally and exclusively at the time of your conversion.He has the authority. And He is good, kind, loving.
He is The Perfect Savior for you, like me, a Perfect Sinner!
Your life “In Christ,” now finds freedom and true fulfillment in following the commands of Jesus from a heart of love and gratitude, empowered by Him -{Read Phil 2:13}. Following Him not as a means to seek to gain His merit but because He has gifted you salvation.
Life now is about continually following Him. He who gave Himself to save you from sin, so you would not die in your sin. He who has given us ” Precious and magnificent promises…everything pertaining to life and Godliness” {Read 2 Peter 1:3-4}…He died for your sins ..to bring you to God!
How can we know how to follow Him? His Word reveals Him -{Read Luke 24:27}. And we are continually changed by beholding Him-{Read 2 Cor 3:18}.
“He who has My commandments and obeys them he is the one who LOVES ME.” {John 14:21}. –
“You are My FRIENDS if you do what I command you.”-{John 15:14.}
“Rest in My Love – {John 15:10}.
His Call is TO himself
His call is to obedience.
Obedience is an expression of Love.
Obedience is an expression of Friendship.
Obedience means SUBMITTING TO HIM as LORD, MASTER TO FOLLOW HIM is an attitude to be adopted and an action to be exhibited.
No, our obedience is not always perfect, but the intent of the heart is to follow obediently. And when we don’t, we confess our sin and begin again loving on Him being a Friend to Him by choosing to obey His Word.
THE CALL IS TO UTTER ABANDONMENT OF SELF IN ORDER TO UTTERLY DEVOTE THEIR LIFE TO THE LOVING SACRIFICIAL SERVICE OF THE LORD JESUS CHRIST.
“If ANYONE would come after Me
let him DENY HIMSELF
TAKE UP HIS CROSS
AND FOLLOW ME” –
THE CALL OF JESUS HAS NOT CHANGED!