How many of you have laid down your life for Jesus? Are you willing to give up family, home, and finances to follow Jesus? “So Jesus said to them, “Assuredly I say to you, that in the regeneration, when the Son of Man sits on the throne of His glory, you who have followed Me will also sit on twelve thrones, judging the twelve tribes of Israel. And everyone who has left houses or brothers or sisters or father or mother or wife or children or lands, for My name’s sake, shall receive a hundredfold, and inherit eternal life. But many who are first will be last, and the last first.” “Most assuredly, I say to you, unless a grain of wheat falls into the ground and dies, it remains alone; but if it dies, it produces much grain. He who loves his life will lose it, and he who hates his life in this world will keep it for eternal life. If anyone serves Me, let him follow Me; and where I am, there My servant will be also. If anyone serves Me, him My Father will honor.” Peter left his wife to follow Jesus, but He still had to deny himself. “Peter said to Him, “Lord, why can I not follow You now? I will lay down my life for Your sake.” Jesus answered him, “Will you lay down your life for My sake? Most assuredly, I say to you, the rooster shall not crow till you have denied Me three times.”
Laying your life down for Christ is not easy. Your flesh will hate you every time you do it. Peter did deny Jesus three times. He was sifted as wheat to see if he would deny himself. “And the Lord said, “Simon, Simon! Indeed, Satan has asked for you, that he may sift you as wheat. But I have prayed for you, that your faith should not fail; and when you have returned to Me, strengthen your brethren.” Being sifted as wheat is most unpleasant. “Now no chastening seems to be joyful for the present, but painful; nevertheless, afterward it yields the peaceable fruit of righteousness to those who have been trained by it.” There is one point that I want to make. Everyone who chooses to go down this path could very well lose everything, I have. Like Job who lost everything, the restoration of everything to you will double because of who you are following. When you decide to lay your life down for Christ, you are tested to see what you say you will do. This is the hard path that I chose before coming here on earth. Understanding this now that there is such a great reward in walking this path is why I decided. This path is not for the faint of heart. I wouldn’t want to wish this on anyone. In turn, what has happened to me will not only bless me but bless others who choose to listen. “I am on this path for His Name’s sake.”
I pray this blesses you and helps you grow in the Lord. Be blessed, my friends.