Declaring Allegiance

Introductory questions to chew

Those times when I say who Jesus is, what do I say?

Otherwise, what does my life say about who Jesus is?

How well do I hear and retain what Jesus has to say to me?

Am I prone to challenge or question God's plan and way of doing things?

Will I go after Jesus?

Where does my self fit into my life?

What am I doing with my life?

What am I giving (or taking, for that matter) in exchange for my soul?

What kind of reward will my works yield?

Doing business at the SoulXchange.

Jesus once asked a short but probing question, "What shall a man give in exchange for his soul?" (Matthew 16:26). I doubt any of us would say, "Sure, I'll spend eternity in hell just so I can do what I like in this life." But so many people willingly indulge in those things that not only jeopardize their souls for eternity but also warp and shrivel their souls in this life.

Think of every aspect of your life as doing business for your soul. Make sure you get the best deal! What are giving in exchange for your soul?

To me He is . . .

Son of God and Son of Man.

Saviour.

Lord.

Shepherd.

The Almighty.

Creator.

Who is Jesus to you?

No exceptions

Following Jesus requires that I quit following myself. But we must not confuse mere self-denial with following Jesus. Self-denial can easily become a substitute for following Jesus. We are called to deny self and follow Jesus. Whoever would be His disciple can do so only by surrendering completely to His will. "If any man will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow me" (Matthew 16:24).

How ironic that we humans can strive so hard to attain personal purpose and fulfillment while avoiding the very path that would lead us to that goal. We don't want to waste our lives on purposeless emptiness, yet we tend to flinch from applying the only principle that will most assuredly make our lives worthwhile. Anyone wishing to make his life worthwhile will achieve that goal only by giving up his life for Jesus and His work. "For whosoever will save his life shall lose it; but whosoever shall lose his life for my sake and the gospel's, the same shall save it" (Mark 8:35).

When Jesus says "whosoever," He means everyone and He makes no exceptions.

Lose our lives?

Denying ourselves and taking up our cross can seem like such a waste of life, potential, and opportunity. Sometimes it seems more like a loss. And in such cases we may find ourselves yielding to the desire to prevent such a loss by opting to indulge our selves.

The only way to make the most of life and its potential and opportunity is to follow Jesus. He will give us an abundant life. But He will do so only if we deny ourselves and take up our cross. In other words, "For whosoever will save his life shall lose it: and whosoever will lose his life for my sake shall find it" (Matthew 16:25).