Do you want to live forever? Would you like to reign with Christ? Are you willing to follow Him faithfully? Will you give up yourself for Him? Do you know He gave Himself up for you?
We often revere those people who are willing to give themselves up for their friends. We recently honored veterans for their willingness to sacrifice for us. We have honored medical personnel for their sacrifices during the pandemic.
Giving up oneself for others can be both easy and difficult. It can be easy when it is a one-time sacrifice. More so when it is a snap decision that may be more of a reaction than a conscious decision. We think of someone jumping on a grenade to save their buddies.
Sacrificing yourself is more difficult when it extends over a longer period of time. Veterans who serve many years, often deploying away from their families, sacrifice long-term. Our medical personnel have been sacrificing for nearly two years. For those that stay in these professions, sacrificing becomes a way of life.
To follow Jesus fully, we also must adapt a life of sacrificing. We must give up our preferences. We must give up the way of the world. It sounds unfair. Yet, the reward we receive far exceeds the short-term happiness we obtain by doing what we want.
Following Jesus, sacrificing our desires for His, rewards us with eternal life. We will also reign with Him over the earth. He has promised us that we will reign with Him forever. He will reign regardless of our actions and behavior. His reign has been promised. He has done what was required of Him to be put on the throne.
I pray we all commit to sacrificing ourselves for Christ. I pray we pursue reigning with Him. I pray each one of us choose the challenging road today to gain the glorious reward that awaits us. Choose to follow Jesus. Be willing to sacrifice for Him. Know that you will reign with Him. Trust in His promises.
2 Timothy 2:11-13 Here is a trustworthy saying:
If we died with him,
we will also live with him;
if we endure,
we will also reign with him.
If we disown him,
he will also disown us;
if we are faithless,
he remains faithful,
for he cannot disown himself.
Marty Pressey 