Matthew 16:24-26

While writing these verses, I realized that people often leave out part of verse 26. People usually skip the first part that says, “you must give up your own way”. Because honestly, what good is it to take up your cross if you aren’t giving up your way of living first? It’s a denying of ourselves that needs to happen before we take up our cross & follow Him.

Today's IF/THEN isn’t a positive one. Jesus is basically saying, if we don’t give up our ways, take up our cross, & follow Him, then we will lose our soul aka go to hell. A lot of sermons use these verses differently than how I’m seeing them this morning. I've heard it taught to Christians about their way of life with Jesus. Which it kind of is, but I see this as an evangelical tool.

I know you are thinking, “But you’ve been talking about living God’s ways for a long time.” Which is true! We should give up our ways, take up our cross & follow Him maybe even daily. But that's more about daily living and already being saved. It sounds to me as if Jesus meant people not already following Him are the ones who could lose their souls.

Please comment and let me know your thoughts today.