The Highest Calling

copyright Millie Plastaras 11/09/07

Good Morning Everyone,

I came across this verse again this morning,
and as I read it, I thought about the implications of it,
and I wanted to discuss it with you.

Then he called the crowd to him, along with His
disciples and said: "If anyone would come after Me
he must deny himself and take up his cross and follow me.
For whoever wants to save his life will lose it, but whoever
loses his life for me and for the gospel will save it. For what
good is it for a man to gain the whole world yet forfeit his
own soul? Or what can a man give in exchange for his soul?
If anyone is ashamed of me and my words in this adulterous
and sinful generation, the Son of Man will be ashamed of
him, when he comes in His Father's glory with the holy
angels. Mark 8:34-38

My dear friends, what is the implication of these sayings to us.

First, I have to say it is talking about denying ourselves. Not
dwelling on ourselves. How many can claim to do that even
to a small degree? It is very uncommon. People are too
caught up in THEIR wants and THEIR needs, and THEIR
problems. They have little time for God. If a man or woman
cannot dedicate time to God daily for prayer or reading His
word, how then can he be a disciple in any way?

We have to lay aside our desires and seek to follow Him.
We pick up our cross daily and follow Him. What does this mean?
It means a willingness to submit to God, set our own will aside
and follow Him even if it means to the death. That our life
is wholly dedicated and surrendered. Absolute surrender.

This is a high calling indeed.

What does it mean if someone wants to save his life He will lose it?
It means if someone is so caught up in themselves they cannot
take time for God, and they deny Jesus, they lose their soul over it.
But if one becomes a disciple of Jesus and dedicates their life
to Him, their soul gains eternal life through the precious blood
atonement of Jesus Christ.

What profit is there if a man gets everything he wants in life
and denies God? He cannot take a uhaul into eternity with him.
All his possessions, all he worked for in his lifetime goes to
someone else. What stands the test of eternity? A life surrendered
to Christ.

How many of you can truly say today.. that you are a disciple.
Not just one who goes to church, and knows the right words to say.
But one who sets aside their own selfish desires and looks to the
needs of others. One who sets aside time for God daily, and
one who is dedicated to God's word.

I see many people online fighting over God's word, fighting
about works, and fighting about churches. Is there time left for God?
What is it about? Is it about your church, or your doctrine, or is
it about Jesus Christ, him crucified and risen the third day,
and the decision we must make to repent of our sins, and make
Him Lord and Savior of our life?

If we do not get this right, nothing else in our spiritual life will be
right. Jesus said you must be born again. How? By his blood
sacrifice for your sins. Who else loved you enough to die for you?
Who else could bear our filthy sins upon the cross, and take all
of that upon himself for us?

How could we then freshly crucify him by not truly walking the
walk and talking the talk. Not just lip service, not just church
attendance, not just Bible knowledge, but a life surrendered
to Christ. Never ashamed, never seeking one's own desires
but saying first thing daily, God what would you have me to do?

Can you live this calling? You can if you get on your knees
each day and ask for God's help. And if you make a mistake,
or don't live up to it one day, ask forgiveness, and start again.
Pursue Godliness, leave that behind which is worldly.

This is a sign of a disciple.

A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another,
even as I have loved you, that you also love one another.
By this all men will know that you are My disciples, if you have love for one another.

John 13:34-35

So then we have learned today that we are a disciple,if we deny ourselves and follow Christ, and if we love others as Christ loved us. A lesson for us all.