Stan and I were again together for breakfast and conversation at the Twelve Baskets Cafe. As we waited for Ricky to bring what we wanted for breakfast, Stan mentioned that earlier during his journaling time, he’d been focusing again on obedience and he said he wanted to talk about the answer to one of Jesus’ many questions. “Which question?” I asked.
“Why do I call Him ‘Lord’,” Stan replied, “but I don’t do what He says?”
“Oh, yeah,” I said, “that’s a good question for me as well.”
“Not only for me and you,” Stan responded, “but it’s a good question for everyone who claims that Jesus is Lord of their lives!”
“If that’s the question,” I asked, “what’s the answer?”
“I can only speak for myself,” Stan said, “but I can say it’s mostly about the same thing the apostle Paul wrote about Jesus’ obedience.”
“What’s that?”
“That Jesus humbled Himself by becoming obedient to the point of death on the cross.”
Continuing, Stan added, “Too often I’m not obedient to what God has for me to obey because I don’t humble myself by actually being the disciple I claim to be.”
“What’s being a disciple have to do with it?”
“As you’ll remember,” Stan replied, “Jesus said that if I want to follow Him, I have to deny myself and take up my cross daily.”
“Yeah, I remember that,” I said, “but I’m not sure I get how that relates t obedience.”
“Jesus was obedient to the point of death on the cross,” Stan replied, “and when He says I’m to deny myself and take up my cross each day, it seems to me He’s saying I’m to die to self and take up the cross of doing each day whatever He has for me to do. My cross is to take up is the cross of obedience!”
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Bible verses to consider:
And why do you call Me, “Lord, Lord,” and do not do what I say? Luke 6:46.
And being found in appearance as a man, He humbled Himself by becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross. Philippians 2:8.
And He was saying to them all, “If anyone wishes to come after Me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross daily, and follow me.” Luke 9:23.
I have been crucified with Christ; and it is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me; and the life which I live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me, and delivered Himself up for me. Galatians 2:20.
Prayer: Thank you, Father, for giving Jesus and His obedience in going to the cross as the way to life with you, the life that begins here and will continue forever. Even though I know I will spend eternity in your presence, I confess that too often while I remain on this side of eternity I don’t humble myself to be obedient to whatever you have for me to obey. Please forgive that foolishness and help me follow every step of your lead in truly denying self and in doing each day whatever you have for me to do in taking up the cross of obedience. Thank you I can and do bring these prayers before you in the name of Jesus. Amen.
Think on this: Have you accepted what Jesus accomplished by His obedience in going to the cross to provide the way for you to have life with God? If no, why do you choose to remain separated from God both now and forever? If you are a Christian with the assurance of salvation and redemption, how are you doing with taking up your cross of obedience? If you sense the desire for change with any of this, how is that change going to happen? Is that what you truly want? Why or why not?
The need: Since God knows what we need before we ask Him (Matthew 6:8), what does God know you need to take up your cross of obedience to obey whatever He has for you? Spend time studying God’s word, praying, reflecting, and journaling to see what God knows you need. He will show you!
Forward: Do you know others who would or could benefit from this devotional? If so, why not forward it and open them to be part of the conversation between Stan and S. Tory Teller?