Even If i Walk Alone

Instructing and encouraging you to live your life as a disciple of Jesus

commitment

Left Over’s

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Claire Cain Miller recently wrote an article for the New York Times titled, “Stressed, Tired, Rushed: A Portrait of the Modern Family”. While not pointed out in the article, it reminded me how our relationship with God often falls victim to our stressed out, fatigued, and busy lifestyle. The life of a Christian in modern society looks ridiculously similar to that of a non-Christian.

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We play the game of pursuing the American dream and keeping up with the Jones’s. None of which has anything to do with following Jesus, of course. But more often than not, we live our busy lives and give Jesus our left over’s. We give God whatever time and money is left over after pursuing our selfish desires.

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Dying to Self

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Central to living life as a fully devoted follower of Jesus is the act of dying to self. It is only when we lose ourselves we are able to then find Jesus (Luke 9:23-24). Paul said in dying to himself he would gain everything (Philippians 1:21). A true follower of Jesus surrenders everything to Him. Whatever we knew before Jesus, we now cast aside in favor of living a life that looks just like His.

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Few can do this all at once, though I wish it were so easy. In reality, we must all die constantly, in every hour. No matter how well or poorly things may be going, we must make a conscious effort in each moment to die to ourselves and live for Jesus. It gets easier, I promise, but it is a choice we will have to make from this moment until our last breath. I can think of no higher aspiration for a life.

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A Disciple’s Life

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Have you ever noticed when Jesus sent His disciples into the world, He didn’t send them out to receive earthly pleasures or joy, but rather to persecution and tribulation? He didn’t send them out to receive honor, but rather the contempt of the people. Jesus did not send them into a life of ease and rest, but rather to one of hard and difficult labor.

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What was appealing to Christ’s early followers was not the life they would be leading but rather the fruit which would be the reward of their work. They were not focused on what they might gain or obtain, but only on what would be achieved for God’s glory and His Kingdom. This is what it looks like to be a disciple. It was true then, and it is true today.

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Live Humbly

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In his classic work, “The Imitation of Christ”, Thomas à Kempis wrote: “Strive to do another’s will rather than your own. Always choose to have less rather than more. Always seek the lowest place and be subject to everyone else. Wish and pray at all times God’s will be fulfilled in you. If we will do this, we will enter into the inheritance of peace and rest.”

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These words, written nearly six hundred years ago still hold great wisdom for us today. If we would live our lives in such a way, we would slough off much stress and anxiety. I believe most of the stress, regret, and worry we feel is due to our focus being on ourselves rather than on God and others.

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Lord and Savior

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You cannot separate having Jesus as your Savior and living your life in obedience to Him. Christ cannot be your Savior if He is not your Lord. Yet there is very prevalent teaching out there insisting the only thing required of you is to pray a simple prayer and Jesus will then be your Savior. Not only is this a dangerous teaching, it is altogether unbiblical.

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The Bible says we must first make Him our Lord, and then we will be saved (Romans 10:9). It doesn’t say we can be saved and then perhaps make Him Lord of our life. Acknowledging His Lordship comes first and must be present if we are to experience His incredible gift of salvation.

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