Then He said to them all(his disciples): If anyone would come after me, he must deny himself and take up his cross daily and follow me. For whoever wants to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for me will save it. What good is it for a man to gain the whole world, and yet lose or forfeit his very self. Luke 9:23-25
Followers of Christ is by imitating His life and obeying his commands. To take up the cross meant identify completeky to with Christ message, even it meant death. This days it applied to places like India and 2/3 of nations that Christ is alien to them and against their ritual. Sharing the gospel in such places maybe life treathening. But the essence of it to bring unbelievers to Christ and be saved. And the path may not be easy. So, our heart must be determined by being deny himself and that would mean being selfless. Like Christ Yeshua comes to serve and not to be served.
Following Christ may not be easy and to certain extend it maybe costly, but in long run it well worth the pain and effort. Nothing materials can compensate for the loss of eternal life. Worldly reward of weath, comfort, fame and pleasure is short term gain and it will be perished, but eternal life is forever.
At one instant I was told that one particular church has multiple fund raising programs in place to raise X amount of money with the goal in mind to build a beautiful and big church. At that instant I was confused of what it meant to be the follower of Christ Yeshua - To be looking good and be admired by others on the outer look. That is not what I gather from the teaching of Christ, but we are told to build our tressure in heaven that will not be exhausted, whre no thief come near and no moth destroys. Our reward is not of worldly reward, but reward of promise of eternal life.
Christ Yeshua stated clearly that we must deny ourself to be his follower. We are asked to go and make disciples of all nations and baptizeing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit. And teaching them to obey His commands.
I met a brother of Christ year back, and he opened a question of big church to support and help their fellow brothers and sisters of Christ in small churches. He has open up a question that I never thought of before and it has stayed a long time in my mind. And apparently the reason he brought this up as he don’t see it happening. Many a time, people looking for recognition, being top 10 churches, best church facilities, and everything done or accomplished come with certificate of recongition from the church and pastor. Not knowing that some churches, the pastor has to work to fund the church so that it continue to be operative.
At this point of time, Abba Father, I seek for your forgiveness for sin against you of not following your wills. Please search my heart and lead me to be the follower of Christ and carry his cross daily. And lead me not into temptation on the worldly thing, but lead me to humble myself and obey your commands and make disciples of all nations and baptise them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.
God Bless
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