Tuesday, March 9, 2021
The apostle Matthew shares Jesus’ statement about a Christ-follower’s commitment.
Matthew 16:25 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. (NLT)
Living for Christ in this world will place you in the cross-hairs of persecution. It may not mean martyrdom, but you could lose your business; you could lose your hard earned finances; you could be put into prison! The question is: are you willing to endure anything for the cause of Christ?
A starting point for surrender is the realization you cannot save yourself from sin. It is God’s great mercy and grace that saves . . . period! The next thing about surrender is the realization you cannot live a life pleasing to God without His enabling. Everyday requires a conscious dependence on God’s strength. In eternity, Christ will reward us based on our faithfulness in obedience, and at that time — “it will be worth it all”!
Scripture quotations marked (NLT) are taken from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright ©1996, 2004, 2015 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.