Cutting Corners

It was not all work and no play in Alaska. One of the members of my crew nicknamed, "Hot Sizzle!" needed to perform 25 pushups because he was not being encouraging to other crew members. I enlisted 7 year old Emma to count and make sure he did all 25. The results were pretty funny!

Last Sunday I preached about Jesus' requirement of denying ourselves and carrying our crosses daily in order to follow Him. But like Hot Sizzle in the video, we often have to battle our desire to cut corners on the path of discipleship.

But there are no shortcuts to following after Jesus. He did not call it the narrow path for nothing! Make no mistake, the Bible is explicit in its declaration of God's people living for Jesus.

From today's "Read the Bible through in a Year" reading: 15And he died for all, that those who live should no longer live for themselves but for him who died for them and was raised again. 2 Corinthians 5:15

Do not fool yourself and think that you can live the way you want and still be Jesus' disciple. Jesus himself did not leave room for that and neither should you.

27And anyone who does not carry his cross and follow me cannot be my disciple. Luke 14:27 (Emphasis mine)