Matthew 16:24-28 Discipleship Is Costly

Then Jesus said to His disciples, “If anyone wishes to come after Me, he must deny himself, and take up his cross and follow Me. For whoever wishes to save his life will lose it; but whoever loses his life for My sake will find it. For what will it profit a man if he gains the whole world and forfeits his soul? Or what will a man give in exchange for his soul? For the Son of Man is going to come in the glory of His Father with His angels, and WILL THEN REPAY EVERY MAN ACCORDING TO HIS DEEDS. “Truly I say to you, there are some of those who are standing here who will not taste death until they see the Son of Man coming in His kingdom.”

The saying in Bible teaching is that salvation is free, but discipleship will cost you everything. That is to say that people have no way of saving themselves because they are totally dependent on Christ’s death and resurrection for their salvation. There is nothing they can add to it. In the same way, once a person has received new life from the Holy Spirit insuring this soul is saved and will be spared a second death, then the proper response is to submit your life to Jesus, not only as Savior, but also as Lord. Whether or not you submit your life, if you have been saved you will receive eternal life. Saved persons are not judged on their life prior to salvation. They are only judged on their response to Christ since they were saved. According to the life you give to Jesus after your salvation will determine His rewards for you in eternity.

Daily Prayer: Lord the flesh is strong, but will someday die. Build up the spiritual man you have placed in me so that I yield my life to you such that I deny the flesh and build my spirit day by day. In Your holy name I pray Amen.