Daily Bread - MAR/14/07

1 Peter 2:21 - For you are called to this because also Christ suffered on your behalf leaving you an example that you should follow after His footsteps.

Jesus said that those who would be His disciples were called do what He did. If they were going to follow Him then they would have to take up their cross and deny themselves even as He did (Matthew 10:38; 16:24; Mark 8:34, 35; Luke 9:23-25). Although there is no need for us to actually go to a cross and die for the world, there is a need for us to deny our own self-will and live to do the will of the Father. The cross is the ultimate example of not living for oneself.

We were born of God to no longer live according to the will of man but to live according to God's will (1 Peter 4:2; Matthew 7:21; 12:50; John 5:30). We could equally say that we have no right to make our own choices but rather choose what God has chosen for us to do in any given situation. We are to overcome just as Jesus overcame and live in this present world just as He lives today (Revelation 3:21; John 4:17).

Jesus became our example and modeled what a son of God was supposed to be like and God has predetermined that we should be conformed to His image (Romans 8:29). He not only modeled sonship but also gave us the power to be the sons of God (John 1:12). What Jesus asked of his disciples 2,000 years ago He also asks of us today, "If anyone serve me let him follow me and where I am there my servant will also be and my Father will prize him" (John 12:26).

Blessings,

Pastor Mark Spitsbergen
abidingplace.org