"Die to Live"

There comes a time for every man,

When he really must decide,

If he will yield to Jesus’ plan,

Or rebel, then run and hide.

The cowboys, too, with what we do,

Must deal with godly claim,

By truth set free or yet to be,

Healed in Jesus’ name.

Some won’t admit their mind is split,

With egos plain at war,

With God’s best, their greatest test,

It’s what the cross was for.

Come and die, the Savior’s cry,

Take up your cross for Me,

Yourself deny, the blood apply,

The truth will set your free.

Lose your life, give up the strife,

And when you lose you win,

Life indeed, just what we need,

Salvation will begin.

But oh the pain, though you may gain,

All that this world may give,

Lose it all, hear Jesus’ call,

It’s the only way to live.

“Then He said to the crowd, ‘If any of you wants to be My follower, you must give up your own way, take up your cross daily, and follow Me.” (Luke 9:23, NLT)

Believing the right things about Jesus does not make you His follower. To become His disciple requires a surrender based on what we believe is true. Faith that does not turn from egotism is deficient. Actually it’s more like pre-faith because it may have the facts of salvation straight but never gets down to the business of letting go the reins of control. When we commit ourselves to Jesus’ lordship and die to being in control of our lives we learn the meaning of life indeed. Taking up the cross daily means we renew this death to self everyday and follow God’s will in every area, holding nothing back.

Lord, help us surrender, in Jesus’ name.

Art by Mikel Donahue, used by permission. Thanks, Mikel, and God bless you.