Wednesday, October 9, 2013
Matthew 16:24-26 Then Jesus said to His disciples, "If anyone desires to come after Me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow Me. For whoever desires to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for My sake will find it. For what profit is it to a man if he gains the whole world, and loses his own soul? Or what will a man give in exchange for his soul?"
THE PEOPLE OF THE CHANGED HEART
Who would want to put others first? Who would think themselves unworthy of heaven? Who would admit that they have nothing of value with which to barter for their soul? Who would be so committed that he would be willing to die if called upon to do so? Well, you would, but only because Jesus is your Lord.
Now you seek spiritual security for others because the Holy Spirit has made you secure in the knowledge that you have been redeemed by the blood of Jesus.
Now you realize you are unworthy of heaven, that you have nothing of value to give in exchange for your soul. You also rejoice to know that Jesus purchased your release and paid your way to the Father's house. Yes, and you want that house to be full, so you tell others.
God's plan for us involves working a change of heart, of attitude, of priority in us. Jesus has plans for those whose eternal futures He has secured. He is still at work to cause these changes in us, to bring them about through the Holy Spirit and the word.
Instead of putting ourselves first, we deny ourselves, our own self-centered desires. Instead of seeking to avoid trouble that will inevitably come to us in following Jesus, we take up our crosses daily and follow Him.
What does that mean? It means that we are committed to Him and His work. We aren't part-timers, followers of convenience, who are satisfied to offer merely a weekend--an hour or less. It means that though we know we will be considered religious fanatics and kooks, we still take up this light burden (in comparison to the burden of our sins) and daily follow Jesus.
We follow because He has changed our hearts and given us a new will. We speak because He has worked in us a faith that loves and trusts and serves Him.
