Sunday, 1st October 2023

Alex Buabeng-Korsah

TOPIC: THE WAY OF THE DISCIPLE

THEME SCRIPTURE: “And when He had called the people unto Him with His disciples also, He said unto them, Whoever will come after Me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow Me” – Mark 8:34

 

 

PREPARATORY QUESTIONS:

1. What does it mean to be a follower of Christ?

 

There is always a conflict between the Christian mind and the humanistic secular mind.

Followers of Christ are very susceptible to the influences of the humanistic secular mind. In his book, The Christian Mind, Harry Blamires reveals our failure to think as Christians. He reveals that the Christian mind must be marked by an eternal time perspective, an awareness of evil, an acceptance of God's authority, an incarnational concern for people, an acceptance of the revealed truth, and a sacramental cast. In practice, most believers fall short of these marks. 

As Christians, some are still living for the immediate, without concern for eternity. We downplay the power of evil, giving lip service to divine doctrines while negotiating God's authority in some instances. Many of God's people keep switching between Christ's thinking and secular humanistic thinking. This is why Jesus firmly gave out His terms and conditions for Christian discipleship.

He stated unequivocally, "Whoever will come after Me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross and follow Me" (Mark 8:34). 

Precious one, in the school of Christ's discipleship, it starts with denying yourself. Denying yourself simply means letting go of your self-centeredness. We were brought up with the instinct to think of ourselves first before others. We are always looking for self-preservation. Our self-interest is our top priority. Jesus is saying we must deny our self-interest because it is the only way God's interest can thrive in our lives. 

In Christ's days, a condemned criminal always carried his own cross or a piece of it. This was to say that Rome has authority over the condemned person. It is only when we take up our cross that we show that we're under Christ's authority. We confess Him as Lord and Master.

In practice, is He Lord over our lives—our coming in and going, our plans and programs, our decisions and choices?

Beloved, if you have taken your cross, then follow. Follow in the footsteps of the Master. Do what Jesus instructs us in the holy scriptures; follow. Follow the leading of the Holy Spirit, who is to guide us into all truths; follow. Follow the precepts, the judgement, and the commandment of Christ. "A new commandment I give unto you", Jesus has said. "That you love one another; as I have loved you so also love one another" (John 13:34)

Beloved, where do you stand? Have you denied yourself, or you’re yet to? Have you picked up your cross, and are you following the Master? What shall it profit a man if he shall gain the whole world and lose his soul (Mark 8:36)? If you fall short in any way, then your discipleship is questionable. Rise up today, O thou trailing disciple. Strengthen the weak hands and feeble knees, and your Lord shall smile on you forever more. Remain blessed.  

 

FURTHER READING – Mark 8:33-37

Call to Salvation: Today is your day if you have not received salvation by turning over your life to Jesus Christ. Click here to do so. 

 

QUESTION TO HELP YOU MEDITATE ON THE WORD:

1. Have you denied yourself and are you daily carrying your cross?

 

CONFESSION

Precious Lord, I surrender to your leadership. I yield to your Lordship. Not as I will, Lord. Evermore your will be done. I die to the self this day so I can be alive to your Spirit. Please, Lord, let your voice, your counsel and leading be made plain to me so I can follow unwaveringly, in Jesus’ precious name.

 

1-Year Bible Reading Plan

1 Chronicle 15; Ezekiel 27; Luke 24