TOPIC: SAVE YOUR LIFE BY LOSING IT
Bible Text: Mark 8:31-37
“For whoever wants to save their life will lose it, but whoever loses their life for me and for the gospel will save it” Mark 8:35, NIV
Out of 248 Baptist missionaries that came to Nigeria between the late 19th century and early 20th century, about one-third experienced sicknesses or death. Malaria, fever, cholera, and dysentery nearly turned West Africa into the “White man’s graveyard.” Lagos, Abeokuta, Ogbomoso, and Old Ijaiye host most of the remains of these great men and women of God who died in the attempt to evangelize Nigeria for Christ. They saved their lives in Christ by losing it in this world.
Jesus Christ made clear the cost of following Him. Becoming a committed disciple of Jesus requires sacrifices and pains that the world will bring on His followers. Carrying the cross and following Jesus daily are the requirements to be qualified as true followers of Jesus. Jesus prepared their mind and spirit by informing them that He will suffer many things and will be rejected and killed then resurrect.
As contemporary Christians, we must learn from those that gave their all so that we can have Christ today. Evaluate your life. Are you carrying your cross daily? What is your response to persecution and suffering as a Christian? Remember it is only those that endure to the end that will be crowned.
Insight: You cannot hold your life to yourself and expect to reign with Christ.
Prayer: Lord, help me to daily carry my cross without failing You.
RBT Passage: Jeremiah 18-21