Growing Up

Following Jesus requires that we change. We cannot say that we are followers of Christ and continue to live life like the world. The Bible tells us to be aliens in this world.

“Dearly beloved, I implore you as aliens and refugees, abstain from fleshly lusts, which wage war against the soul.” 1 Peter 2:11

That means we should not blend in with this world, but stand out. So we can’t continue to live like the world. We can’t live with our boo and say we are following Christ. We can’t be in a relationship with someone of the same gender and say we are following Christ. We can’t support abortion and say we are following Christ. We can’t say it is okay to lie, steal, gossip or gorge ourselves. God calls us to a different culture. His culture. If we want to talk culture.It is not about the culture of their world, my church or your church, it should be about kingdom culture. (Sorry a slight tangent–we will continue that later!) Our lives are meant to be a reflection of Jesus Christ in us, they are not our own once we follow Him.

In Matthew 16:24-25 Jesus tells His disciples, “Whoever wants to be my disciples must deny themselves and take up their cross and follow me. For whoever wants to save their life will lose it and whoever loses their life for me will find it.”

The Christian walk is not about a list of do’s and don’ts, but a life laid down and lived out in surrender to God. Stepping into this based on Matthew 16:24-25 is about choosing to lay down your life in order to truly gain life. How do we do this. I am glad you ask, the verse laid it out in simple clear directions:
1. Deny yourself-it is not about you anymore! It is all about Jesus and letting Him live His life through you!
2. Take up your cross- the cross cost Jesus everything and it will you as well! Are you ready to carry that cross?
3. Follow Jesus- living your life for Him, moment by moment. Doing what He ask of you according to His Word and His call on your life. He created you for a purpose, on purpose for such a time as this.

The joy is you are not alone in this journey and it doesn’t have to be done in your strength!

Matthew 28:20 “I am with you always, even unto the end of the world.”