Luke 9:23 Then he said to the crowd, “If any of you wants to be my follower, you must give up your own way, take up your cross daily, and follow me. NLT
GIVING UP YOUR OWN WAY
I read about one of the oriental religions where adherents were demanded to abstain from sex except for procreation. Couples only meet for sex when they want to make babies. They also have dietary regulations, they are vegetarians. Male devotees shave their heads, leaving only a small tuft of hair called a sikha, a sign of surrender to their teacher. Each morning male and female believers mark their foreheads with clay as a reminder that their bodies are temples of their deity. Followership in that religion takes from them the right to decide and follow their own way. They just have to behave as demanded not as desired.
When it comes to following Jesus, it requires giving up your own way. It could be your way of thinking, behaviour and conduct. Walking with Jesus should be as demanded not as desired. I see a generation that want to walk with Jesus on their own terms and not on His. True disciples of Jesus are men and women who have surrendered totally to His Lordship and are willing to do his bidding, not theirs. So many have come to know Jesus as saviour but not as a Lord. They're fascinated about the wonders of the cross and new creation realities but when new creation lifestyle is demanded, they're less concerned.
The moment you quit doing things your own way, you will not have struggle obeying God. At that level, it can be said of us that we are truly sold out to God. Our struggle with obedience is simply because there's a conflict within between God's ways and ours. The bible says, "The sinful nature wants to do evil, which is just the opposite of what the Spirit wants. And the Spirit gives us desires that are the opposite of what the sinful nature desires. These two forces are constantly fighting each other, so you are not free to carry out your good intentions", Galatians 5:17 NLT. Accepting Jesus is free but following Him comes at a cost. The price you and I must pay is the price up giving up our own way to follow His own. Total surrender is required.
Lord Jesus, I give up on my ways in Jesus name
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