February 18, 2010
“There is a needs-be for us to give ourselves for the life of the world. An easy, non-self-denying life will never be one of power. Fruit-bearing involves cross-bearing. There are not two Christs---an easy-going one for easy-going Christians, and a suffering, toiling one for exceptional believers. There is only one Christ. Are you willing to abide in Him, and thus to bear much fruit.”
--Hudson Taylor
Why is it that when it comes to receiving salvation and blessings from the Lord that we are pushing and shoving our way to get first in line; and yet, when the same Lord who bestows us with such gifts calls us to suffer and count the cost for following after Him we drag our feet and look for a way out? We are a society who has mastered the art of making excuses and justifying our actions. We would much rather serve a Jesus of our own making. This is why our lives are so empty and so powerless as Believers because we call on Jesus as Savior, but refuse to submit to Him as Lord.
Hudson Taylor hit the nail on the head by saying there is not two Christs. If we want lives that reflect the Lord and are bearing much fruit we must take up our cross’ and follow after Jesus down a road filled with suffering and toil. There is no such thing as an ordinary Christian and an extraordinary Christian. You either take up your cross and follow Jesus or you don’t. You cannot be Christ’s disciple unless you deny yourself and take up your cross daily and follow Him---there is no other way. Salvation is free but it will cost you everything in this life, but you will gain the riches that are in Christ Jesus that far outweigh anything you could gain on this earth.
Let Hudson’s words sink deep into your soul and pierce through your heart. Do not just brush them aside and think that you will have time to go over it later. Now is the time to act and choose whom you shall serve. As for me, I will serve the Lord---taking up my cross, I will follow Him down suffering’s road. I know my strength will fail, but He will not fail me; my love will sputter, but His love will burn strong; and my faith will dwindle, but He will remain ever faithful---so I press on trusting Him to keep me close to His heart.
“There is a needs-be for us to give ourselves for the life of the world. An easy, non-self-denying life will never be one of power. Fruit-bearing involves cross-bearing. There are not two Christs---an easy-going one for easy-going Christians, and a suffering, toiling one for exceptional believers. There is only one Christ. Are you willing to abide in Him, and thus to bear much fruit.”
--Hudson Taylor
Why is it that when it comes to receiving salvation and blessings from the Lord that we are pushing and shoving our way to get first in line; and yet, when the same Lord who bestows us with such gifts calls us to suffer and count the cost for following after Him we drag our feet and look for a way out? We are a society who has mastered the art of making excuses and justifying our actions. We would much rather serve a Jesus of our own making. This is why our lives are so empty and so powerless as Believers because we call on Jesus as Savior, but refuse to submit to Him as Lord.
Hudson Taylor hit the nail on the head by saying there is not two Christs. If we want lives that reflect the Lord and are bearing much fruit we must take up our cross’ and follow after Jesus down a road filled with suffering and toil. There is no such thing as an ordinary Christian and an extraordinary Christian. You either take up your cross and follow Jesus or you don’t. You cannot be Christ’s disciple unless you deny yourself and take up your cross daily and follow Him---there is no other way. Salvation is free but it will cost you everything in this life, but you will gain the riches that are in Christ Jesus that far outweigh anything you could gain on this earth.
Let Hudson’s words sink deep into your soul and pierce through your heart. Do not just brush them aside and think that you will have time to go over it later. Now is the time to act and choose whom you shall serve. As for me, I will serve the Lord---taking up my cross, I will follow Him down suffering’s road. I know my strength will fail, but He will not fail me; my love will sputter, but His love will burn strong; and my faith will dwindle, but He will remain ever faithful---so I press on trusting Him to keep me close to His heart.
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