The Walking Dead - Daily Devo 2

Daily Dying Devotion No. 2: A SMALL, GIGANTIC WORD

Our main Scripture: Luke 9:18-27 

Today: Verse 23: "IF anyone would come after me..."
... 
Right after revealing who He truly is to the disciples, Jesus begins laying out the expectations, the requirements, really, to those who would follow Him.

And the first word he speaks is so small and short that we could be tempted to miss it...

"IF"

"IF anyone would come after me, he must deny himself, take up his cross daily and follow me."

That is a small word with big meaning.

Jesus didn't say, "WHEN you follow me..."

You see, Jesus knew, that even though these young men had already been his disciples, already been learning from Him and experiencing His miracles, that what He was about to ask of them was heavy stuff; all this dying and denying stuff, all this talk about crosses.

Jesus knew about those young men, what He knows about us: 

Not everyone invited by Jesus will follow Jesus.

Some find it too hard, too costly, too painful. They will avoid some discomfort upfront, but in doing so, will miss the real, amazing, beautiful things He wants for them. They will opt out-on Jesus and opt-out on "Life".

You are most likely a Christian if you are reading this, (or at least you've been around church and youth group a while). Don't assume becuase you call yourself a Christian, that you are following Jesus. Don't take for granted that you can.

Jesus wants the selfish parts of you, the hateful parts of you to die... IF you will allow Him access.
Jesus wants to free you from damaging habits and negative thoughts... IF you will give Him control of those things.
Jesus wants to relieve you from bitterness and unforgiveness... IF you place it in His hands.
Jesus wants to show you a deeper life than the one you are living... IF you will let Him.

Those are some big IF's.

Praying you opt-in...