Understanding the cost of being a follower of Christ
April 8, 2011
“If anyone would come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross and follow me.”
Matthew 16:24
One thing that I firmly believe and always share with others is that salvation is a free gift of God and is accomplished on our part only by trusting in Christ for the forgiveness of our sins. But there’s a difference between accepting the free gift of grace and what I call ‘easy believe-ism’.
Dietrich Bonhoeffer, the great Christian leader who stood against Hitler in Nazi Germany, wrote, “When Christ calls a man, He bids him come and die.” And I think Bonhoeffer was exactly right! Jesus himself said that following him would require for each of his followers to “deny himself and take up his cross and follow” him.
What the church needs today is the challenge of the cross. If you’re going to follow Jesus, there’s a decision to make and there’s a charge to keep. It’s not an easy road to follow Jesus Christ. It’s a road of commitment, conviction, and many times, death.
To truly know Jesus Christ is to give all that you have to him; to exchange all that you are for all that he is. That’s salvation and that’s what it means to be a follower of Jesus!
THE SAVING GRACE OF JESUS CHRIST IS FREE, BUT GOD CALLS US TO MUCH MORE THAN SALVATION. HE CALLS US TO LIVE OUR LIVES FOR CHRIST EACH DAY.
For more from PowerPoint Ministries and Dr. Jack Graham, please visit www.jackgraham.org
and
Listen to Dr. Jack Graham's daily broadcast on OnePlace.com.
Watch Jack Graham and Powerpoint Ministries Video Online.
OUR GIFT TO YOU!
Dear Friend,
I want to send you a special gift that will help make getting into God's Word easy for you or someone you care about.
It's a copy of the ESV Share the Good News New Testament, and I'd like to send it to you as my way of saying thanks for your online donation to PowerPoint Ministries.
This version of the New Testament includes reading plans and topical guides for locating key verses and passages, and it's perfect for people who are new to the Bible or those who like to find a quick Bible reference.
So request a copy of the ESV Share the Good News New Testament when you give your online gift today.
Thank you for giving to help PowerPoint continue to proclaim the Good News of Jesus Christ! --Jack Graham