Living in the Spirit

September 3, 2023

Scripture Reading:

Matthew 16:21-28

Then Jesus told his disciples, ‘If any want to become my followers, let them deny themselves and take up their cross and follow me. For those who want to save their life will lose it, and those who lose their life for my sake will find it. For what will it profit them if they gain the whole world but forfeit their life? Or what will they give in return for their life?

‘For the Son of Man is to come with his angels in the glory of his Father, and then he will repay everyone for what has been done. Truly I tell you, there are some standing here who will not taste death before they see the Son of Man coming in his kingdom.’ –Matthew 16:24-28

I consider the phrase take up their cross and follow me, means to literally dedicate your life to the work of Kingdom building., following as closely as possible the example and teachings of Jesus. Indeed, many have literally died as a result of their faith work toward kingdom-building, but most of us are called to use talents, skills, and resources throughout our lives, working for the causes Jesus set forth for us. My mother lived that way. She was a deaconess in the Methodist church. When she married my dad, she had to give up that job, but she never gave up the work. She helped the poor, taught Sunday school, and did everything she was called to do. When age began to limit her work, she became a more diligent card sender, and even at the age of 98, bedfast and in heart failure, she routinely practiced intercessory prayer. She was a wonderful role model as one living for Jesus.

Living for Jesus, a life that is true,
Striving to please Him in all that I do;
Yielding allegiance, glad-hearted and free,
This is the pathway of blessing for me.

Refrain:
O Jesus, Lord and Savior, I give myself to Thee,
For Thou, in Thy atonement, didst give Thyself for me;
I own no other Master, my heart shall be Thy throne;
My life I give, henceforth to live, O Christ, for Thee alone*.

Prayer: Lord, guide us in living for you. Show us are calling and enable us to answer that call. Amen.

*The first verse and refrain of the Hymn Living for Jesus by Thomas O. Chisholm see at https://hymnary.org/text/living_for_jesus_a_life_that_is_true#Author

All scriptures are quoted from the New Revised Standard Version Bible: Anglicized Edition, copyright 1989, 1995, Division of Christian Education of the National Council of Churches of Christ in the United States of America. Used by permission. All rights are reserved.