Read Matthew 16:24.
This year, I read The Cost of Discipleship by Dietrich Bonhoeffer—a book that has greatly challenged my personal commitment to wholeheartedly follow Jesus every day.
In this book, Bonhoeffer states, “When Christ calls a man, he bids him come and die.”
In Matthew 16:24, Jesus lets His disciples know that following Him requires self-denial, cross-bearing, and loyal obedience. In self-denial, we understand we can’t save ourselves. Cross-bearing involves our willingness to suffer hardships and persecution to the point of death. And loyal obedience means submitting to the Lordship of Jesus every day.
I am ashamed to admit how often I fail at fully living out this call and living as the man of God I am supposed to be. Despite my shortcomings, Christ’s love lives in me, and I can confidently claim a life lived in faith that His grace covers all my sins.
Jesus, thank You for saving us for eternity and sealing us with the Holy Spirit. Thank you for giving us Your Word so that we can live in obedience until You return or call us home. Amen.
-from a missionary on our Evangelism Team