Live!

http://bible.com/116/mat.16.25.nlt
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.

He tells us again and again –

Let go of your life

Lay down your life for others

Follow me

Don’t turn back

Don’t take your hands from the plow

– and He does this to teach us that even though this Grace is a free gift, it isn’t cheap.

There are no lukewarm followers of Christ. There are religious folks who call themselves Christians but who are not yet awakened and who are not yet disciples of Christ. There are those who follow the teachings of a man standing in a pulpit but who are not yet taught by God, who do not yet have the Holy Spirit alive and working in them and through them. There are those who have been splashed with or dunked under water but who have received no baptism of the Holy Spirit.

But here is the promise:

http://bible.com/116/mat.7.7-8.nlt
“Keep on asking, and you will receive what you ask for. Keep on seeking, and you will find. Keep on knocking, and the door will be opened to you.  For everyone who asks, receives. Everyone who seeks, finds. And to everyone who knocks, the door will be opened.

Everyone who asks, the door will be opened. EVERYONE.

But how few seek His Kingdom? How many ask to receive rewards and blessings and prosperity instead of offering to lay down their lives and follow Him?

How many seek His will instead of trying foolishly to bend God’s will to ours? He is the master,  we are the servants.

Let us get into the right position before God in prayer – humble on our knees. And not just physically on our knees,  but spiritually,  in our hearts, surrendered and trusting and faithful. It is there that we find life. It is there that we are awakened. It is there that we give up our life,  to live in Christ.

http://bible.com/116/jhn.3.30-36.nlt
He must become greater and greater, and I must become less and less.
“He has come from above and is greater than anyone else. We are of the earth, and we speak of earthly things, but he has come from heaven and is greater than anyone else.  He testifies about what he has seen and heard, but how few believe what he tells them! Anyone who accepts his testimony can affirm that God is true. For he is sent by God. He speaks God’s words, for God gives him the Spirit without limit. The Father loves his Son and has put everything into his hands. And anyone who believes in God’s Son has eternal life. Anyone who doesn’t obey the Son will never experience eternal life but remains under God’s angry judgment.”

Believe.
Awake to life.
Follow Him.
Be His student.
Be Christ to the world around you.