Kingdom Living - The Commands of ChristNäide

Commands of Christ: 50 

Anyone who wishes to come after Me must deny himself, take up his cross and follow me. 

God’s salvation is free, but it costs everything. We cannot receive His gift of life without emptying our hands of anything else that is in them. Giving Him our allegiance means having no competitors for our affections. He is (and must be) of far more importance to us than our lives, than any earthly relationship, than all our possessions. We are bound to Him entirely, with no reservation. We will obey Him and follow Him no matter what the cost, no matter what the sacrifice or risk. This is not optional. These are the terms which the Lord clearly communicated. Our decision and resolve will be tested. By His power and grace He will enable us to obey and follow through the fire and through the flood, with the temptation to ease and comfort, when alone or in the midst of a crowd going another way, and every other circumstance.