Finding Life

If anyone would come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross, according to the day, and follow me.*

We see what it means to take up our cross, it is to deny our self. Is this concept important for Christian life? Yes, "whoever does not take up their cross and follow me is not worthy of me. Whoever finds their life will lose it, and whoever loses their life for my sake will find it."* We must lose our life, to be worthy of following Jesus. But what life do we lose? This is where we lose our old self if we hang on to it we are deceived, "the thief comes only to steal and slaughter and destroy; I have come that they may have life, and have it abundantly."* We must lose our old life to find true life in Christ. No one Jesus said who does this will be ashamed of ever doing it, no matter the cost, and will have abundant life.

Jesus said if brotherly love and family love is greater than loving him we are not worthy to follow him.* Unbelieving family and friends are of this world and we are not to love the things of this world more than loving God. John writes if we love the things of this world, its desires, and pride of its possessions then the love of the Father is not in us. * These are the things we must deny, that which the earthly, carnal man desires.

and take up his cross daily and follow me.*

Jesus told Peter to follow him twice. When we believed we chose to follow Jesus and were sealed with the Holy Spirit. We gave our lives and were given a new heart and God put His Spirit within us. But we must continually lay down our lives to follow him, being renewed day by day, a daily taking up of our cross, denying self. "Put off the old man with its practices and put on the new self, renewed in knowledge in the image of its Creator."* This you were taught, "regarding your former way of life, to put off your old self, which is being corrupted by its deceitful desires; to be renewed in the spirit of your minds; and to put on the new self, created according to God's, in righteousness and holiness of truth."* The old self is crucified with Christ, rendered powerless, as the Spirit puts to death the deeds of the flesh. Take up your cross, according to the day, and follow me.*

take up the armor of God so that you have powerful ability to stand in the evil day, having been molded into fitness, wholely, stand.*

According to the day, put on the armor of God to stand. On the path to life we must do battle against evil forces. We grow strong in the Lord, through spiritual warfare, a war where we can not be passive but must fight, putting on the armor of God to stand against evil forces and the schemes of the devil. "For whoever would save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for my sake will find it." Be courageous, this is what we have been called to, it is our destiny, press in, finally grow strong in the might of his strength. The world is passing away, but whoever does the will of God remains for all time.* Let us pray that we lose ourselves and find life.

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