How do we live a passion for Jesus in these last days, I’m sure that this question has crossed the minds of many believers more often than not?
In order to LIVE a Passion for Jesus you must ask yourself this question.
“How Do I Come To Christ?”
1. Self Denial
The sinner must see himself Damned, Doomed, Destitute, and Depraved!
The word Jesus used was “Deny" which means to Refuse. To deny myself is to put self out of the picture and to put Christ in place of self. When a person comes to Christ the very first thing he has to do in order to come to Christ on Christ’s Terms is…Deny the fact that he has any capacity whatsoever to save himself.
2. Take up Your Cross
Taking up your cross doesn’t mean putting up with your co-workers.
Mat 16:21, “From that time forth began Jesus to shew unto his disciples, how that he must go unto Jerusalem, and suffer many things of the elders and chief priests and scribes, and be killed…”
Jesus didn’t say HOW He was going to be killed…He just said that He would be killed.
He didn’t say anything about a Cross. He had never told them up to this point that He was going to die on a Cross.
THEN…He says in verse 24, “…Take up his cross…”
The cross represents suffering and shame!
Peter! If you are going to follow Me…you are going to have to take up your own cross!
John! If you are going to follow Me…you are going to have to take up your own cross!
Chad! If you are going to follow Me…you are going to have to take up your own cross!
Nathan! If you are going to follow Me…you are going to have to take up your own cross!
What does He mean?
He means…you are going to have to Suffer for His cause and His purpose!
3. And Follow Him
The cross represents suffering!
The way these words are constructed…it means that following Christ is a Way of Life.
When our family goes away on a trip…we do 3 things:
1. We say our good-byes.
2. We pick up our bags.
3. We proceeded on our journey.
This is the way you come to Christ on His terms:
1. You say your good-byes to self.
2. You pick up your Cross.
3. And you follow Him in a life of Obedience.
Mat.16:25 “For whosoever will save his life shall lose it: and whosoever will lose his life for my sake shall find it.”
Jesus is saying…you’ve got to LOSE before you can FIND.
What does this mean?
It means…you’ve got a choice.
If you live…only to Save your earthly life…
If you live…only to Preserve your ease, your comfort, and your self-indulgence…you will LOSE your eternal soul!
BUT…if you are willing to Give Up your earthly life…Take Up Your Cross…and Follow Jesus in a life of Obedience…you will SAVE your eternal soul!