Our paragraph topic is: (We must give up all for Christ) Part 5.
Christ told his disciples that they must take up their cross or they will not be worthy of him. He also told them that neither the love of father or mother or sister or brother or any relative should separate them from him otherwise they are not worthy of him. For one must sacrifice all for Christ to show that one is worthy of him. The disciples are in a war. They are battling the dark forces of evil and Christ tells them that they have to be fully committed to him. Otherwise they are not worthy of him.
Likewise he is instructing them concerning the people they will meet and how they will show their acceptance of the message of the kingdom and their commitment to Christ. One who allows family to separate them from the love of Christ is not worthy. One who does not take up the cross of the message of Christ and wear it before men is not worthy. These are signs that the people have not accepted Christ and the message they bring. They may say that they do but their actions prove otherwise. They may want to accept but their hearts are still bound to the evil that they say they want to divorce themselves from. Christ requires total commitment to show
worthiness of him.
Now he goes a step further and tells his disciples, "He who finds his life will lose it, and he who loses his life for my sake, will find it." Life is lost and must be found. The disciples must know this. They must understand that one's life is not given but must be discovered, it must be found. Once found, it becomes the driving force that directs a person. It is the reason we live, the purpose of living, and the guide by which we live. The disciples will preach to the lost sheep of Israel. They will help them discover their life and show them the way to the kingdom. They will open the eyes and the ears of the lost sheep and help them discover their light so that they can become lights to others. But if their life is not committed to Christ they will lose it. The devil will come and steal it away with his tricks and traps. They have no defenses without those that are given by Christ.
When their life is given to Christ for his sake then they will find that they have more life and have it through him. For Christ is the light of the world. He is the source of life that was given to him by his father in heaven. The disciples must understand this important concept so that they can teach it to others. We will loose our life if it is for ourselves. But if we lose our life for Christ we find it preserved with more abundance in Christ. Even today for those who accept Christ as their Lord and Savior, complete commitment is the requirement. Complete acceptance is the key. Surrender of ones life will bring life alive again in Christ. Will you lose your life for Christ? Will you show yourself worthy of him? Christ has a more abundant life waiting for you in Him. Surrender your life for his name's sake and receive a new life in him. Faith is the belief in the desire to be in Christ. Are you in him or standing on the sidelines looking in?
Christ told his disciples that they must take up their cross or they will not be worthy of him. He also told them that neither the love of father or mother or sister or brother or any relative should separate them from him otherwise they are not worthy of him. For one must sacrifice all for Christ to show that one is worthy of him. The disciples are in a war. They are battling the dark forces of evil and Christ tells them that they have to be fully committed to him. Otherwise they are not worthy of him.
Likewise he is instructing them concerning the people they will meet and how they will show their acceptance of the message of the kingdom and their commitment to Christ. One who allows family to separate them from the love of Christ is not worthy. One who does not take up the cross of the message of Christ and wear it before men is not worthy. These are signs that the people have not accepted Christ and the message they bring. They may say that they do but their actions prove otherwise. They may want to accept but their hearts are still bound to the evil that they say they want to divorce themselves from. Christ requires total commitment to show
worthiness of him.
Now he goes a step further and tells his disciples, "He who finds his life will lose it, and he who loses his life for my sake, will find it." Life is lost and must be found. The disciples must know this. They must understand that one's life is not given but must be discovered, it must be found. Once found, it becomes the driving force that directs a person. It is the reason we live, the purpose of living, and the guide by which we live. The disciples will preach to the lost sheep of Israel. They will help them discover their life and show them the way to the kingdom. They will open the eyes and the ears of the lost sheep and help them discover their light so that they can become lights to others. But if their life is not committed to Christ they will lose it. The devil will come and steal it away with his tricks and traps. They have no defenses without those that are given by Christ.
When their life is given to Christ for his sake then they will find that they have more life and have it through him. For Christ is the light of the world. He is the source of life that was given to him by his father in heaven. The disciples must understand this important concept so that they can teach it to others. We will loose our life if it is for ourselves. But if we lose our life for Christ we find it preserved with more abundance in Christ. Even today for those who accept Christ as their Lord and Savior, complete commitment is the requirement. Complete acceptance is the key. Surrender of ones life will bring life alive again in Christ. Will you lose your life for Christ? Will you show yourself worthy of him? Christ has a more abundant life waiting for you in Him. Surrender your life for his name's sake and receive a new life in him. Faith is the belief in the desire to be in Christ. Are you in him or standing on the sidelines looking in?
