Have you ever gotten a brand new toy for your birthday, or even just as a gift from a family member, and for a while it was just one of your most favorite things that you owned, so much that it was the one thing that you played with constantly for a period of time?
Or maybe instead of a special toy it was something else? What was it? And did that thing have a stronger effect on you that if it came between choosing between spending time with your friends or it, you would have chosen that thing? There are many things that someone could place in a very high place of importance to them, from spending time doing a hobby to going on a trip with your friends, but for a Christian, there can be nothing more important to them than following Jesus and doing His will. We may have fun doing certain things and enjoy spending time with others, but if those things are things that will affect your relationship with God in a negative way or prevent you from spending time with Him, then you at that moment must make the decision of what you are going to love more.
John 12:25-26 He that loveth his life shall lose it; and he that hateth his life in this world shall keep it unto life eternal.
If any man serve me, let him follow me; and where I am, there shall also my servant be: if any man serve me, him will my Father honour.
In our lifetime we will have certain things that we discover that we like, or even love, but as a Christians there can be nothing that takes the place over Christ. When we call ourselves a Christian we bear upon ourselves the duty of a Christian, which means that we must serve and follow Jesus Christ. He becomes our Leader that we follow, His commands become our orders, and anything else that might come in between us and keeping His Word we must place aside, because Jesus is number 1.
Mark 8:35 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.
When someone enlists in the military one thing that an individual must know is that they don’t serve themselves anymore. The things that they might have wanted to do must be set aside, because you have a new set of orders. You do as you are told, because if you don’t you will certainly receive punishment. Being a Christian is no different, because a Christian is a soldier of God, bound to do His will and His commands. Your life is not your own anymore, but you serve Him. Many people do not want to hear this, and as a result they try to deviate from the commands of the Lord and do what they want, but this kind of action will only result in punishment.
We are born in this life, and given a choice. God does not force anyone to follow His Son Jesus, He simply asks. The choice is up to each individual if they are going to give the control of their life to the Lord and obey Him, or if they are not. To do, or to do not.
Matthew 16:24-25 Then said Jesus unto his disciples, If any man 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: and whosoever will lose his life for my sake shall find it.
Jesus is that friend calling you to come with Him, but are you strong enough to give up everything to go and serve Him? Can you deny yourself to serve the Lord?
In Christ
Andrew
Teufer Lake King James Bible Church 