God Is ... Through MatthewSample

God is . . . Not Forceful

“Then Jesus said to his disciples, “If any of you wants to be my follower, you must turn from your selfish ways, take up your cross, and follow me. If you try to hang on to your life, you will lose it. But if you give up your life for my sake, you will save it. And what do you benefit if you gain the whole world but lose your own soul? Is anything worth more than your soul? For the Son of Man will come with his angels in the glory of his Father and will judge all people according to their deeds.” Matthew 16:24-27 NLT

There are several very important things to notice in these verses. First, consider His choice of words in saying, “If any of you wants to be my follower ...” God desires, more than anything else, that you will truly choose to follow Him.

But what does it mean to “take up your cross, and follow”? In no uncertain terms, He is asking you to die to yourself. Turn from the things in your life that take His place. It could be that you find security in your income, and when your money gets low, so does your spirit. That would be a clear sign that you trust in money more than you trust in God’s willingness and ability to provide for your every need.

Maybe throughout the day you are able to find a few minutes here and there to update statuses and post messages on social media, yet at the end of the day, you still have not opened God’s Word. This, too, could indicate an area of your life where you are looking for joy in the things of this world instead of seeking true joy in relationship with your Heavenly Father.

If you value your finances, your social life, or your entertainment as more important than your relationship with God, then you are limiting God’s blessings and, ultimately, rejecting the peace and joy that come from willingly and completely following Him.

In what ways is God calling you to die to yourself and turn to Him?

Prayer:

Father, thank You for the free will to choose my path for myself. Though I choose to surrender my will to You, I am grateful for the freedom to make that decision. I honor You by looking to Your will, Lord, to lead my steps and guide my heart in all that I do. You have chosen me, and I am Yours. Amen in Jesus’ name.