Do you remember the time when you first made the decision to follow Christ? When you gave up doing things on your own. The time you laid your life down, your ideals, ideologies, your hopes, dreams, plans, desires, everything at the feet of Jesus.
You know, I believe that each believer has had that moment when they surrendered it all. The first time I fully understood what that processed look like was during a sermon at an old Baptist church. The Pastor was reading an account about Peter (the disciple aka the rock)after the death and resurrection of Jesus. Peter is facing Jesus after denying him and here Jesus is asking him questions like “Peter do you love me” and Jesus goes on to say a few other key things.
So many people have an understanding of the whole conversation that takes place here between Jesus and Peter but what I saw in the midst of this was a broken man facing the one he let down and Jesus is telling him that things have now changed. “It is time to follow me full out Peter. It is time to surrender it all. This is your moment.” I always couple this passage in John to the passage in 2 Chronicles 7:14 because this so mimics that process of surrender and their is even a promise there.
“If my people, which are called by my name, shall humble themselves, and pray, and seek my face, and turn from their wicked ways; then will I hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin, and will heal their land.”
I am going to get straight to the point here because well, that is me. Following Jesus is not a decision to be taken lightly. It will cost you your life and that includes your dreams, desires not just for you but your children, etc. Peter was crucified upside down! There is an exchange that takes place, your life for his life his. You do give something to him and it will take you on a narrow path, a path that most will not take and it is tough. I was reminded of that today by another believer who got real with me and said “look, you are in a battle.” Why are you expecting anything else? You are a target because you are chosen, the elect of God. Satan wants to take you out SO lay down your life anew, afresh to Jesus and Surrender!!!!!!!!!!!
Listen, if you want to change the world, if you want to be an impact player, be prepared to pay the price, be prepared to do the work both inside and out. Be prepared to do it and take heart you will mess up and be humbled from time to time. Even Peter had his moments and he walked with Jesus. And even moreso remember where he brought you from and where he is taking you.
Church, things are only going to become more difficult so make up your mind who you want to serve and stick with that decision. Count the cost.
And lastly and on a lighter note, take heart because when you choose Jesus and he takes you on the journey of knowing and understanding him more, you learn more and more how small the cares of the World are compared to the glory of knowing him.
Wherefore gird up the loins of your mind, be sober, and hope to the end for the grace that is to be brought unto you at the revelation of Jesus Christ;
As obedient children, not fashioning yourselves according to the former lusts in your ignorance:
But as he which hath called you is holy, so be ye holy in all manner of conversation;
Because it is written, Be ye holy; for I am holy.
And if ye call on the Father, who without respect of persons judgeth according to every man’s work, pass the time of your sojourning here in fear:
Forasmuch as ye know that ye were not redeemed with corruptible things, as silver and gold, from your vain conversation received by tradition from your fathers;
But with the precious blood of Christ, as of a lamb without blemish and without spot:
Who verily was foreordained before the foundation of the world, but was manifest in these last times for you,
Who by him do believe in God, that raised him up from the dead, and gave him glory; that your faith and hope might be in God.
Seeing ye have purified your souls in obeying the truth through the Spirit unto unfeigned love of the brethren, see that ye love one another with a pure heart fervently:
Being born again, not of corruptible seed, but of incorruptible, by the word of God, which liveth and abideth for ever.
For all flesh is as grass, and all the glory of man as the flower of grass. The grass withereth, and the flower thereof falleth away:
But the word of the Lord endureth for ever. And this is the word which by the gospel is preached unto you.(1 Peter 1:13-25)
If you are a person seeking to understand more of the Lord and you have no idea where to turn, if you are not a Christian yet but want more information about what that looks like to become a Christian and where to begin please do not hesitate to email me and I would love to chat with you [email protected] and help you along this journey. It will cost you your life but you gain his.
Blessings