And when He had called the people unto Him with His disciples also, He said unto them, Whosoever will come after Me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow Me. For whosoever will save his life shall lose it; but whosoever shall lose his life for My sake and the Gospel's, the same shall save it. For what shall it profit a man, if he shall gain the whole world, and lose his own soul? Or what shall a man give in exchange for his soul? Whosoever therefore shall be ashamed of Me and of My words in this adulterous and sinful generation; of him also shall the Son of man be ashamed, when He cometh in the Glory of His Father with the holy angels. (Mar 8:34-38)
Our GOD is Holy, and our perfect Father, and He requires Holiness and righteousness in His people. He calls us to live in Him and to walk in Him and will chastise those who disobey, He will correct those that stray, and will test us that we may grow in Him through His Word and the gifts that He has given to us because He loves us. There is nothing in this world, with its lusts, desires, and pride that is worth missing the blessing of GOD and His great Salvation. This world will not last, all that has been made will decay, be destroyed, or in the end be burned up, and only that which is safe and secure in Christ will be regenerated, renewed, and remade according to His purposes. Our faith and trust must be in Him who is our Creator, Redeemer, and King, not just Sunday, but all the time and in every situation, for He is Lord of all.
Our Lord calls His people to represent Him in this broken and sinful world, not of it or conformed to its ways, but conformed to Christ, ministering to those around us who are hurting and in need, with the Word of righteousness and reconciliation, rightly divided and fitly spoken, that they might see Christ in us, the hope of Glory. Our Lord commands His children to love one another as He loved us and to disciple one another in His Word that we may grow up into the full measure of Him who gave Himself for us. Our Lord has commissioned His Church to take the Gospel of Jesus Christ in the power of the Holy Spirit, and as we go where He sends us we are to proclaim the Good News of forgiveness through repentance and surrender, and reconciliation with the Father through faith in His Son, that those who believe that He is the Christ, the Messiah of GOD, might have life in His Name.
For GOD is not willing that any should perish, but that all would come to repentance and the knowledge of the Truth. Jesus loves you and wants to establish a covenant relationship with you that is real and personal. Surrender to Him on His terms and He will give you a brand new life of discipleship and fellowship with Him that is abundant and everlasting. GOD calls you to trust Him and what He has already done for you to pay your sIn debt. He has provided the only way of reconciliation with GOD, forgiveness from GOD, and Salvation through Jesus Christ, the Son of GOD who is GOD the Son, to give you a new life in Christ. Turn away from yourself and your sIn and turn to Him alone for eternal Life, now and always.
In Christ,
Jefferson Sweet