Monday November 13th, 2023
« I want to know Christ and experience the mighty power that raised him from the dead. I want to suffer with him, sharing in his death »
26 “Those who come to me cannot be my disciples unless they love me more than they love father and mother, wife and children, brothers and sisters, and themselves as well.
27 Those who do not carry their own cross and come after me cannot be my disciples.
It takes unfailing determination to go through life with Jesus Christ.
Accepting Jesus as Lord and Savior includes accepting Him with His yoke – in other words, submitting totally to His will.
Indeed, to become a true disciple of Jesus, a person must subject his or her will to Him in totality.
The Bible says in Mark 8:34 CEV
« Jesus then told the crowd and the disciples to come closer, and he said: If any of you want to be my followers, you must forget about yourself. You must take up your cross and follow me »
Identifying with Jesus requires the belief in His standards and the commitment to live by them.
This is however also brings the knowledge of truth and genuine freedom (John 8:31-32).
Submitting to the Lordship of Jesus Christ however, would also bring about persecution from the world.
Our Lord Jesus Christ told us in John 15:18-19 that the world will hate us merely because He chose us to become His disciples.
Many so-called born-again Christians and even some leaders in the Church today want to follow Jesus but would not accept any doctrine that preaches “Suffering for the sake of Christ”.
One wonders whether such people are serving the same God as Apostle Paul who prayed to know the fellowship of Jesus’ suffering. (Philippians 3:10).
Some people will call us fools when we preach the gospel to them (1 Corinthians 1:18).
This however, is a relatively small price to pay to experience the power of God in our lives.
Joseph of Arimathaea and Nicodemus came forward to claim the body of Jesus for burial in spite of the fact he was condemned and killed like a criminal.
This is noteworthy because they were important personalities but that did not deter them from identifying with Jesus, even in death (John 19:38-42).
Beloved, let us take the yoke of Jesus Christ upon ourselves.
We have to deny ourselves and carry our cross daily.
His yoke is however easy and light (Matthew 11:29-30).
Those that are not in Christ are under the grievous yoke of the kingdom of darkness that would ultimately lead to eternal damnation.
Surrender all to Jesus Christ today and He will give you rest.
Application – Decide to follow Jesus all the way in spite of the hostility of the world around you.
Author: Bishop Enoch. A. Adeboye.
Edited by Naomie
Freely you received, freely you must give (Math 10:8) , kindly share this devotion, and the Lord will bless you for it .
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