As I read Mark 8:34 today, I remembered how painful it was for me to get rid of my old, worldly self. I found that it was a process and one that only the Holy Spirit could lead me in. In the beginning, and for many years I had a great battle for me. I have an occasional skirmish all these years later, for Jesus’ demand remains unaltered.
“If any of you wants to be my follower, you must give up your way, take up your cross, and follow me.
Mark 8 34
One Way
How I love to get my way, striving to be who I want to be. But, if I choose selfishly, I surrender what is right and perfect for what is dull and mundane. Indeed, there is only one way to victory. That is, be filled with the Holy Spirit, overflowing with the presence of God, and adoring the cross He gave me. When God is freely alive in me, His love spreads to those around me.
16 To those who are perishing, we are a dreadful smell of death and doom. But to those who are being saved, we are a life-giving perfume. And who is adequate for such a task as this?
2 Corinthians 2:16–17
17 You see, we are not like the many hucksters who preach for personal profit. We preach the word of God with sincerity and with Christ’s authority, knowing that God is watching us.
Only One Right Way
Indeed, our cross will glorify Jesus, convict the lost, and be a refreshment to the saved. Shouldn’t we choose what is right instead of what seems good? We can do many good things, but only the right thing allows us to take up our cross.
Image by Christopher Strolia-Davis from Pixabay
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