[Jesus speaking]
And He was saying to them all, “If anyone wishes to follow Me [as My disciple], he must deny himself [set aside selfish interests], and take up his cross daily [expressing a willingness to endure whatever may come] and follow Me [believing in Me, conforming to My example in living and, if need be, suffering or perhaps dying because of faith in Me]. For whoever wishes to save his life [in this world] will [eventually] lose it [through death], but whoever loses his life [in this world] for My sake, he is the one who will save it [from the consequences of sin and separation from God]. For what does it profit a man if he gains the whole world [wealth, fame, success],and loses or forfeits himself?”

--Parallel verses:
‭‭Acts‬ ‭5‬:‭1‬-‭5‬
Now a man named Ananias, together with his wife Sapphira, also sold a piece of property. With his wife’s full knowledge he kept back part of the money for himself, but brought the rest and put it at the apostles’ feet. Then Peter said, “Ananias, how is it that Satan has so filled your heart that you have lied to the Holy Spirit and have kept for yourself some of the money you received for the land? Didn’t it belong to you before it was sold? And after it was sold, wasn’t the money at your disposal? What made you think of doing such a thing? You have not lied just to human beings but to God.” When Ananias heard this, he fell down and died. And great fear seized all who heard what had happened.

For what does it profit a man if he gains the whole world yet loses his soul? It is a critical question every disciple of Jesus Christ must ask of themselves. And it not only applies to worldly pursuits, but also to the pursuit of God’s will and his purposes in a disciple’s life.

It is easy to theorize about the future and say, “If it came to it, I would be faithful when my life was on the line.” It is a much harder thing to have the discipline and spiritual resolve to actually make good on this promise when the time comes.

So how do we build up this Spiritual Resolve or Fortitude in Jesus Christ? Jesus gave his disciples the keys: 1) Deny yourself, 2) Pick up your cross daily, and 3) Follow me.

Denying myself means I commit to have no personal holdbacks from God. Like Ananias and Saphira held back money from the disciples and paid dearly with their lives, some choose to hold back parts of their hearts in disobedience, from the sanctifying work of God’s Spirit. There might be a fear or worry at the core of this “hold-back”. It must be rooted out. I must fully deny myself and my selfish ways …in order to completely follow Jesus.

Picking up my cross represents the life’s work I am called to. This is the working out of my faith. It is also the burdens in life I must bear. The good news is … I do not have to bear these alone. Jesus said: “Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For MY YOKE IS EASY and MY BURDEN IS LIGHT.” (‭‭Matthew‬ ‭11‬:‭28‬-‭30‬, emphasis mine)

So if I carry the burdens Jesus wants me to, I need not fear, because I can be yoked to him and he promises that if I am, his “yoke is easy” and his “burden is light.”

And finally, I am called to “follow” Jesus. This “follow” is not just a physical path or life direction long-term. It is a daily following of heart and mind, a renewing of our sinful minds, so to speak. I cannot fulfill God’s purpose for my life if I follow my own ways, or even my own “good plans” for God. Only when I sacrifice my plans on the altar and surrender my will to follow Jesus wherever he leads, will I be truly spiritually fulfilled and free to reflect the goodness of Jesus.

Lord, thank you for revealing this truth to my heart once again today. You are not satisfied with my partial sacrifices to you. You want all of me — Body, Mind, and Soul — every day of the week. I commit to give you all I am and to repent of my selfish heart that seeks my own benefit in front of your will. Heal me and prepare me for joining you in your great adventure of life — making disciples for eternity!