Following the Way of Jesus
Discipleship is at the center of the Christian life. To be a disciple means to be a learner, someone who follows after Jesus and patterns their life after His.
Jesus tells us that the starting point of following Him is to deny ourselves. Denying ourselves means we choose to put Jesus’ desires above our own. It means recognizing that we do not have all the answers or know the right way to navigate life.
Discipleship is not something we do once or twice; it is a lifestyle that must be lived out each and every day. We will spend our entire lives becoming more like Jesus.
The way of life Jesus modeled was to suffer on the cross. When we deny ourselves, we choose to humbly follow Jesus. As we become more like Jesus, we will also need to take up our cross. We will suffer for doing good and for denying things that seem enticing in the moment but ultimately keep us from God. When we bear our suffering, we represent Christ to those around us.
The paradox of following Jesus is that when we give up our life for His sake, we receive eternal life in return. When we hold onto our life and keep it from Jesus, we don’t get to experience the abundant life that He promises.
Take some time today to consider how you’re living a life of discipleship. Reflect on the ways you are denying yourself and living for Christ, or if you are living selfishly for your own pleasure and gain. Commit to following Jesus no matter how hard the path gets. Pray for strength and endurance as you follow Him.
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