Have you lost your life?

For those who claim to follow Jesus these are some important words from Jesus:

Matthew 16:24-25 

24 Then Jesus said to His disciples, “If anyone desires to come after Me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow Me. 25 For whoever desires to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for My sake will find it.

When we ask Jesus to be Lord and Savior of our lives there are some major changes that must take place that Jesus tells us about here:

1. Deny self-you will no longer do things that are displeasing to our Lord thus we will deny ourselves things that do not glorify God.

2. Take up his cross-the cross for Jesus was doing the Father's will which was dying for the sins of the world. Our cross is doing the will of God  no matter the cost to our lives. 

3. Follow Jesus-As followers Jesus will take us to fun filled places but He will also take us places that we do not want to go all for the purpose of bringing Him glory. Example of fun place would be when he took disciples to the wedding feast. Example of place we do not want to go all the disciples except one ended up being killed for their following Jesus and were abused and arrested many times. If you were to talk to one of them today and ask them if they would do it again no doubt they would say absolutely!

4. Lose your life and give it to Jesus---if you are a follower of Jesus your life belongs to Him not you! 

1 Corinthians 6:20 

20 For you were bought at a price; therefore glorify God in your body [a]and in your spirit, which are God’s.

So we no longer live like we want...we live the way Jesus wants us to live our lives and the only way to know that is by knowing His Word and spending time with Him in prayer.

Honestly answer this question....Have I truly lost my life to Jesus or am I still controlling it?

Don't forget the first part of what Jesus said...."if anyone desires to come after Me". It is not a choice for us it is a command!

Tom