“And he said to them all, If any man will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross daily, and follow me.” (Luke 9:23 KJV).
When the Lord Jesus turn to them all, looking in their eyes and says: "take up your cross daily," as stated in this passage, He is not talking about physical self-effort of self-denial to earn holiness to impress God. He is not impressed by self-effort, even righteous works. He said: all our righteous acts are like filthy rags (Isaiah 64:6 NIV). Rather, He is stressing to them and to us now that it is about total dependence on the grace of God to be transformed for success and victory in our life. Following the Lord Jesus in faith, not as an example to re-do what He has done, but to rely instead resting by faith on His finished work on the cross, and trusting that His unmerited favor, or grace, provides the power and ability to live a righteous living. Faith in the Lord's finished work is the cross we must carry daily.
Righteous living is not a choreographed, manicured and perfect living for the applause of the crowd and the world. It is living by faith in Christ Jesus, led by the Holy Spirit and guided by the light of His Words. The work of God that we do is to believe in Him whom Father has sent (John 6:29), to bring about an abundance of breakthroughs, healing, and supply. We follow the Lord Jesus Christ by relying on His finished work on the cross, knowing that everything needed to be done are already done, as it is written: “When Jesus had received the sour wine, he said, “It is finished,” and he bowed his head and gave up his spirit.” (John 19:30 ESV). Apostle John further writes: "And He said to me, "It is done! I am the Alpha and the Omega, the beginning and the end. The thirsty I will give from the spring of the water of life without payment."" (Revelation 21:4 ESV).
And I say, AMEN!
Daily reflections by:
F. A. Frias
PFC Ministries
When God says... I say, AMEN! is a provocative reflection of the Lord's holy Word. It intends to challenge every seeker of truth to dig deep into the core of the Word of Life to point every being to Christ Jesus - the author and finisher of our faith, and to draw revelations for change, for nourishment and for strength of every soul.
Partners For Christ Ministries, INC
P. O. Box 773716
Ocala, FL 34477
Touching lives in Cambodia, The Philippines, The Middle East, The USA, and... other countries.
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