God's Glory Church

“If anyone wants to follow Me, let him deny himself and take up his cross and follow Me.” — Matthew 16:24

We all leave a part of us behind when we move to a new place. However, for a long-term stay in the village of Villa las Estrellas in Antarctica, in a cold and deserted place, you have to literally leave a part of yourself. Considering that the nearest hospital is 625 miles away, a person is in serious trouble with appendicitis. Therefore, before moving there, every resident must have their appendix removed.

Seriously, right? However, it is not as serious as becoming a citizen of God’s Kingdom. People want to follow Jesus all they want (Matt. 16:25-27), but He explains what it means to be a disciple. “If anyone wants to follow Me, let him deny himself and take up his cross and follow Me” (v. 24). This also means our readiness to get rid of everything that competes with Him and His Kingdom. By taking up our cross, we declare our willingness to suffer social and political oppression and even death for our devotion to Christ; it is a willingness to truly follow Him. It means following His lead in service and sacrifice moment by moment.

Following Jesus is much more than just leaving a part of your life behind. It is devotion and consecration of our whole life, including our bodies, only to Him.

What does following Jesus mean to you? How does He call you to sacrifice your life for Him?

Dear Jesus, help me to get rid of everything that competes with You and Your Kingdom.

Author: Marvin Williams