New Living Translation (NLT)

Luke 9:23 'everyday' - Aramaic Bible in Plain English

Matthew 16:26 'what good will it be' - New International Version (NIV)

Italics and by author

What if somebody came up to you and told you, I've got something for you, something life-changing, but to get it, I need you to give up your ways, take up your cross and follow me.

What would your response be?

"Yes, sign me up right away!" or leaning a bit more to "what makes you so special that I need to give up my ways for it?"..

And yet, that's what Jesus wants you to do.

About a week ago I was talking with Janis, my wife, about a really great message we had just seen. And I said, you know, I believe that probably the number one reason why people choose not to follow Jesus is because they don't want to give up their ways. Or they don't want to be held accountable.

Take me for example. I had to experience a rock-bottom moment, to get me to realise AND admit that what I did wasn't working.

And if I'm honest, I had known that already for quite some time. But still, I wanted to hold on to my ways. I was severely depressed, suicidal, addicted and even though it grew worse by the year, I didn't want to admit that I needed a Saviour. Somebody to get me out of this mess. And looking back now, I believe the main reason for it was that I didn't want to give up my way of living. I had grown to love my all-over-the-place rock 'n' roll life. After all, I was an artist. Depression, addictions, that stuff just came with the territory.

I was afraid if I surrendered it all I would become this nerdy, holier-than-thou Christian. Whose only dangerous vice would be drinking coke with sugar, sitting around the campfire playing their religious campfire cr.. tunes.

And I was right. No, just kidding..;)

Man, was I wrong about that. I am more free now and I feel more alive than I've ever felt in my whole life!

You see, it's not about what you have to give up. It's about what you gain. You'll find that if you choose to follow Jesus, and desire to have an intimate, personal relationship with Him, nothing, I mean, ab-so-lute-ly nothing can top that! And you'll want to give up or kick out of the way anything that's in the way of that.

Is it that easy? No, it's not. Every day anew you'll have to make a conscious decision to not give in to whatever it is that's in the way of you and Jesus. That's your cross. BUT, He has done all the heavy lifting for you. So start enjoying that Freedom!