Scripture: Matthew 16:24-28
“The Jesus said to His disciples, “if anyone wishes to follow Me [as My disciple], he must deny himself [set aside selfish interests], and take up his cross…” Matthew 16:24 (AMP
What does it mean to be a Christian - a true follower of Christ? Many people can only be identified as Christians when you check up their bio-data on forms, other official documents or simply by their routine attendance of church services on Sundays.
That is not Christianity and it is certainly not how Jesus expects us to follow him (Matthew 16:24).
To be a true follower of Christ, you must let go your bad habits and appetites (Matthew 16:24a). You must submit yourself in complete rather than partial obedience to God and then practice the teachings and principles of God’s word. A godly and fruitful Christian life is possible but does not happen automatically as soon as you become born again (1 John 5:1-3). You must first commit to it and pursue it with consistency and faithfulness. It is a process that every genuine believer must desire and pursue.
Does your lifestyle announce you as a follower of Christ? Have your old habits become a stumbling block in your pursuit of a fruitful Christian life? Have you taken up the cross of sacrifice serving God and others in and out of your comfort one? You cannot profess to follow Christ when you have not denied yourself the pleasures of your old habits and appetite. Following Jesus is not what you do only when it suits you and is convenient. It is a minute by minute, daily and every time commitment to God. Make the decision to follow Christ completely today and He will surely reward you for it (Hebrews 6:11).
PRAYER: Lord, give me the grace to follow you with all my heart and all my strength in Jesus name
FAITH BYTE: I am following Christ and His blessing and love are evident all around me.
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