Then Jesus said to His disciples, "If any of you want to be My follower, you must turn from your selfish ways, take up your cross, and follow Me. If you try to hang on to your life, you will lose it. But if you give up your life for My sake, you will save it. Matthew 16:24-25 (NLT)Imagine walking up to a door with a sign posted on it that read: COME INSIDE- GIVE UP YOUR LIFE TO SAVE YOUR LIFE! TOTAL ABANDONMENT! Would you open the door? Could you do so without hesitation?
This is the doorway that leads to a life of following Jesus.... To become a follower we have to be willing to do so with "total abandonment".
Total abandonment means giving up or leaving everything of the "world" behind to follow Christ. It means giving up our will to follow His will. This does not mean the end....it is the beginning... New Life!
This means that anyone who belongs to Christ has become a new person. The old life is gone; a new life has begun!
2 Corinthians 5:17 (NLT)
Total abandonment involves putting down and picking up! We must put down....put to death the sinful earthly things within us and pick up.... choose to be holy people, clothe in tenderhearted mercy, kindness, humility, gentleness, patience and love- the ways of Christ. (ref. Colossians 3:5,12,14)
Imitate God, therefore, in everything you do, because you are His dear children. Live a life filled with love, following the example of Christ. He loved us and offered Himself as a a sacrifice for us, a pleasing aroma of God.
Ephesians 5:1-2 (NLT)
Total abandonment means taking up a life of service and sacrifice with earthly suffering but eternal reward in Heaven.
For I reckon that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory which shall be revealed in us. For the earnest expectation of the creature waiteth for the manifestation of the sons of God.
Romans 8:18-19 (KJV)
Jesus is the door.... but we must choose to enter!
I am the door: by Me if any man enter in, he shall be saved, and shall go in and out, and find pasture.
John 10:9 (KJV)
Heavenly Father, we thank You for providing the doorway that leads to life. Thank You for Your Son. In Jesus' Name. AMEN!
