This is what Jesus calls us to.
Sure I believe there is grace in the way that we try and custom tailor Jesus to fit our every needs. The book does say those who believe in their heart and confess with their mouths will make it into the Kingdom of Heaven. But what about when we rid ourselves of all reservations. What if we truly took our CROSS and died to it? What would that look like? How would this idea, that maybe Jesus truly does want me to give up everything for his name, play out? What if that’s exactly what he meant and not just taking his words for what we think he meant or for how someone else’s interpretation came across to us? What if Jesus’ words are to be takin EXACTLY how he states them, not out of context? I get the parables and we’re not all farmers or virgins but I’m talking about his teachings, his commissioning, his charges. Is it strange to think maybe he just meant what he was saying? That’s just good theology right? So 3 times in the Gospels Jesus says If anyone wishes to come after me, he must deny himself, and take up his cross DAILY and follow me. Matthew Mark and Luke, I’m specifically talking from Luke 9 because later in Luke 14 Jesus goes on to say Whoever does NOT carry his own cross and come after me cannot be my disciple. Our cross equals our God given free will right? So to me it kind of sounds like he’s saying if I decide to do my will I cant be his disciple… That’s just the skinny of it. I can’t come after him if I don’t humble myself daily, deny myself daily and follow him daily. Again I’m saying what I think because I’m getting to the point of what I believe Jesus is saying to us. Of course go read it for yourself, study, read commentaries, talk to your friends about it, whatever you have to do.
This concept that I’m kind of picturing what I believe in my heart means. Some maybe might say it’s legalism but listen to me. I don’t believe it is excessive to take JESUS’ words literally! In fact I believe we could be sitting here missing out on so much more then we even have the capacity to imagine. Denying ourselves means every single part of ourselves. Not just the things that we’ve already admitted to and know in our heart of hearts we shouldn’t be doing but Oh! God offers us so much grace, he knows me and my heart. Well Jesus gives us four different accounts of his heart and he says EVERYTHING! Everything that’s not of him from the occasional cuss words, over eating, looking at women a little too long, things that quench the spirit, all the way down to our dirty little secrets that no one else is supposed to know about. Guess what? Just because you don’t think no one knows about them doesn’t mean they’re not there! Let’s stop fooling ourselves into believing we’ve got this thing figured out. Let’s start believing that there is and will always truly be more of the Fathers heart to reveal. In getting closer to his heart what a better way to rid ourselves totally of ALL that we are and become in unison, of one sober mind with the Father of creation! What a beautiful opportunity he freely is just handing us!
I speak this stuff over myself. I am so far from that of the man that Jesus says I am. I mean that in a sense of I can sort of catch a glimpse of this really awesome person you know, the final outcome, pure to the core, Loves Jesus like no other, unconditionally surrendered right? Totally sold out. Not just yeah I’m gonna act sold out so that everyone will think I’m sold out. I’m still holding onto things man. I’ve got this nice little list of all the things standing in my way of that person. Praise God this year on the race showed me just about every single one. I guess I could’ve really taken all of this stuff and said oh crap I’m screwed. I’m nothing more then a hypocrite. My words are that of a ravenous wolf. I might as well keep God in my little box and shove him in my pocket and continue on doing what I’m doing because well you know, it’s comfortable. I’m used to it. On the surface things seem ok, so as long as no one knows I’ll be fine right? I’ll punch my little Christian time card when I need to and go on talking the talk yet not willing to ACTUALLY walk the walk. For me it’s a whole lot more then just thinking I’ve found Jesus. I’m following him and yes I have things standing in the way.
I look at Psalm 84 in the message version verse 7, God travelled, these roads curve up the mountain, and at the last turn-Zion! God in full view! What an amazing picture of that very moment my earthly self dies and my spirit man standing before the Father. I pray that my shoes are totally worn out and I just barely come crawling around that corner on my hands and knees. Do you see that? Our lives are God travelled roads. I read somewhere that when Paul died his body would have been nearly un recognizable. He was beaten broken, weathered, 100% totally sold out for HIS name, and then on that day, GOD! In full view. Man what a picture of what it really looks like to follow Jesus.
What does this personally look like for me? Time. Time to take these things and walk that path of righteousness. Time to focus on Intimacy. Time to focus on fasting prayer and meditation. Time to fail. Time to get back up on the horse and walk. Time to deny myself. Time to come after Jesus. It looks like time, and right now it looks like I’ve got a lot of it. I was reminded the other day I only gave my life to Jesus a little over 2 years ago. I was thinking 3. So when that person reminded me, no it’s only been 2 years since you actually said Yes to Jesus, honestly my heart sank. I said oh great! You just added another year to how far I’ve got to go. Then he opened my eyes! A little over two years ago I was a complete and total mess but I said Yes anyways. Here I am today after having only followed him since November 2014 with a lap around the world. I’ve spoke in front of thousands of people. I’ve watched people healed physically and spiritually. I’ve watched people adopted into the Kingdom of Heaven. I’ve seen a nice little chunk of what the Book says is to come if only we say yes daily! Deny daily! It’s foundational and it’s true. We will always just be these bags of bones if we don’t commit ourselves fully over to who he is. I heard it said one time, We owe it to God to reveal the destiny of our lives. That’s so true to me. We have to go after this thing. It’s all about the initiation and action. Our steps are literally how we walk not just a good thought.
So please don’t think I’m telling you you’re doing it wrong because I’m not. It’s just been revealed to me that yeah I’ve got some things to work on. I hope there is Holy conviction though. In fact I pray it over you if that’s what God is wanting to do. I pray this makes you think. I pray this makes you believe that YES! There will always be more but we have to decrease so he can increase(John3:30). I hope that we can all come to agreement that this following Jesus is not supposed to be easy or comfortable. In fact it is very hard! If we are doing it right Matthew 5:11, Jesus says blessed are you WHEN people insult you and persecute you and falsely say all kinds of evil against you BECAUSE of me. John 16:2, Jesus says the hour is coming WHEN whoever kills you will think he is offering service to God. Biggest word here for me is obviously when, not if, maybe, or well shoot I don’t know, I reckon it COULD happen. No Jesus says when. So yes following Jesus is hard. It will be uncomfortable. It will hurt and if I’m doing it right I will even be killed for it. What else is there to die for?? I’m not trying to seem gloomy weird militant missionary man or anything but how beautiful of a calling we have on our lives to be like Jesus! Let’s just keep it simple and open our minds to what it means to be a true believer of Jesus Christ. I love you and I pray my blog finds you well
