#Bible Timeless Truths: To Follow Jesus – Follow Jesus

This is one of my shorter Timeless Truth posts. That doesn't make it less important. Tom Goble was my pastor during my high school years. He had a terrific impact on my life. 

We were different physically. He suffered from a degenerative hip disorder that limited mobility. When I wasn't injured, I was a good high school athlete.

That didn't matter. Pastor Goble faithfully attended many of my games. Although his hips are perfect now because he's in heaven, I cherish many fond memories.

23 Then he said to them all: “Whoever wants to be my disciple must deny themselves and take up their cross daily and follow me. 24 For whoever wants to save their life will lose it, but whoever loses their life for me will save it. 25 What good is it for someone to gain the whole world, and yet lose or forfeit their very self?

Luke 9:23-25

All Scripture quotations are from the NIV.

The three highlighted phrases in the passage above have significance. Read on.

• …must deny themselves… This phrase is a call to commitment.
• …take up their cross daily… This phrase shows our willingness to accept whatever consequences of obedience come our way.
• …follow me. The first two phrases are impossible to comply with—or are completed with misdirected intention—unless we use this part of the command as our compass.

* Luke 9:23-25 is an all-encompassing commandment.

In Luke 9:26, Jesus says, “Whoever is ashamed of me and my words, the Son of Man will be ashamed of them when he comes in his glory and in the glory of the Father and of the holy angels.” Jesus wants to share His glory with us. We must follow Him into that glorious experience.

* Jesus did not condemn the world. He convicted the world.

For the message of the cross is foolishness to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God. [1 Cor 1:18]

Additional Insights

• Following Jesus is not just for our earthly life.
• We don’t follow Jesus for ourselves—we follow for Him and to serve others.
• Other religions call for sacrifice, but Christians sacrifice because of their desire for relationship and for service not out of obligation.

 Try This!

1. Find a copy of the New Testament where the words of Christ are in red letters.
2. Just read the red text.
3. This will focus you on Jesus teachings and His commands.

 Special thanks to Rev Tom Goble for the primary teachings used in this post.

Follow me on Twitter: @CRDowningAuthor and Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/CRDowningAuthor

My website is: www.crdowning.com

I'd appreciate your feedback!

Email me at: chuckdowningauthor@gmail.com