“Then Jesus told his disciples, “If anyone would come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross and follow me. For whoever would save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for my sake will find it. For what will it profit a man if he gains the whole world and forfeits his soul? Or what shall a man give in return for his soul? For the Son of Man is going to come with his angels in the glory of his Father, and then he will repay each person according to what he has done.” (Matthew 16:24-27)
It’s one thing to receive Jesus’ forgiveness of sin and the gift of salvation and quite another to surrender to His Lordship over your life. It is a long process, sometimes it takes a lifetime because people love their “stuff.”
Yet Jesus is clear in those who call on His Name. Surrendering our will to His will is part of denial of ourselves and taking up our crosses to follow Him wherever He wants to lead us. He is really saying, what is the value of your “stuff” in comparison to eternity? You can’t take it with you and you are only here for a wisp of smoke in time. “What shall a man give in return for his soul?” The start of the new year is a time to take stock of our lives and make decisions based on where we are right now.
This year is stacking up to be a tough one and people need to prepare on every front and that includes where we stand with the Lord. Where do you stand? Did you say a prayer 20 years ago and have lived your life on your terms or are you surrendered to His will and carrying your cross after Him? Surrendered to Jesus Christ is the best decision you’ll make all year…
Blessings everyone…
From the Heart of God... 