Jesus Did It First

"My Father is always at his work to this very day, and I too am working. Very truly I tell you, the Son can do nothing by himself; he can do only what he sees his Father doing, because whatever the Father does the Son also does. For the Father loves the Son and shows him all he does." - John 5:17,19-20

We are not asked to do anything that Jesus has not already done. But we are not asked to do anything that we can do on our own. If we could, we would not need the Spirit of God. The Bible tells us how to live our lives. The Spirit empowers us to live according to the Word of God. Jesus shows us how to do it.

"You see, at just the right time, when we were still powerless, Christ died for the ungodly. Very rarely will anyone die for a righteous person, though for a good person someone might possibly dare to die. But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us." - Romans 5:6-8

We were powerless - headed for the gates of hell - and Jesus died for us. The Son of God who knew no sin, became sin for us. Willingly laid his life down for you and me. And what are we asked to do?

"Therefore, I urge you, brothers and sisters, in view of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God—this is your true and proper worship. Do not conform to the pattern of this world but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will." - Romans 12:1-2

In the same way that Jesus laid His life down - we are to lay ours down. What life - our old nature and our personal desires in favor of the Way that Jesus has shown us.

"If anyone desires to come after Me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross daily, and follow Me.  For whoever desires to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for My sake will save it. For what profit is it to a man if he gains the whole world, and is himself destroyed or lost?" - Luke 9:23-25

What is "our cross"? Personal sacrifice by faith and submission to the power and presence of the Spirit. Choosing to pick up our cross is not a "one and done". Yes, we are saved once for eternity, but the life we live, day to day, requires reminding ourselves our new life is a life we are now living we life by faith - intentionally following Jesus' example of obedience, love for the Father and other people.

"I have been crucified with Christ; it is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me; and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave Himself for me." - Galatians 2:20

Jesus did it first! Now it's our turn.

Think about it – Pray about it – Believe it – Walk in it. Let your light shine and give God the glory. 

By Faith Alone By His Grace Alone And For His Glory Alone