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NASB | Luke 9:23 ¶ And He was saying to them all, "If anyone wishes to come after Me, he must deny himself, and take up his cross daily and follow Me. |
AMPLIFIED 2015 | Luke 9:23 ¶ And He was saying to them all, "If anyone wishes to follow Me [as My disciple], he must deny himself [set aside selfish interests], and take up his cross daily [expressing a willingness to endure whatever may come] and follow Me [believing in Me, conforming to My example in living and, if need be, suffering or perhaps dying because of faith in Me]. |
Bible Question: Most, if not all of us, on the forum seem to be in general agreement about what we must do to be saved. But after salvation, what obligations does the new Christian incur in his or her walk with Christ? To recaste the question, what comes after salvaton -- what do we do next? --Hank |
Bible Answer: Well, let's see: "If you love Me, you will keep my commandments." (John 14:15) "As obedient children, do not be conformed to the former lusts which were yours in your ignorance, but like the Holy One who called you, be holy yourselves also in all your behavior; because it is written, 'YOU SHALL BE HOLY, FOR I AM HOLY.'" (1 Peter 1:14-16) "For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand so that we would walk in them." (Ephesians 2:10) "Therefore, putting aside all malice and all deceit and hypocrisy and envy and all slander, like newborn babies, long for the pure milk of the word, so that by it you may grow in respect to salvation, if you have tasted the kindness of the Lord. (1 Peter 2:1-3) "the one who says he abides in Him ought himself to walk in the same manner as He walked." (1 John 2:6) "Therefore be careful how you walk, not as unwise men but as wise, making the most of your time, because the days are evil. So then do not be foolish, but understand what the will of the Lord is. And do not get drunk with wine, for that is dissipation, but be filled with the Spirit, speaking to one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody with your heart to the Lord; always giving thanks for all things in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ to God, even the Father; and be subject to one another in the fear of Christ." (Ephesians 5:15-21) Pretty tall order, wouldn't you say? How in my weakness can all this be accomplished? "Finally, brethren, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is of good repute, if there is any excellence and if anything worthy of praise, dwell on these things. The things you have learned and received and heard and seen in me, practice these things, and the God of peace will be with you." (Philippians 4:8-9) "O how I love Your law! It is my meditation all the day... How sweet are Your words to my taste! Yes, sweeter than honey to my mouth! From Your precepts I get understanding; Therefore I hate every false way." (Psalm 119:97, 103-104) "Therefore I urge you, brethren, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies a living and holy sacrifice, acceptable to God, which is your spiritual service of worship. And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, so that you may prove what the will of God is, that which is good and acceptable and perfect." (Romans 12:1-2) "My flesh and my heart may fail, But God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever." (Psalm 73:25) "But I say, walk by the Spirit, and you will not carry out the desire of the flesh." (Galatians 5:16) SUMMARY: Just as the Holy Spirit works through the Word of God to regenerate the sinner, resulting in justification, so also the Holy Spirit and the Word of God are the essential components of the believer's sanctification. Nothing more, and certainly nothing less! In addition, those who truly possess saving faith also will be gradually growing in holiness and righteousness, beoming more like Christ, a process that glorifies God and will only become complete when we ourselves are glorified at the Resurrection. Any other verses you folks want to share? Sanctification is one of the least-emphasized doctrines in the church today. Much emphasis is placed on evangelism and "soul-winning," but so little on developing as disciples of Christ. Thanks for bringing up the topic, Hank! --Joe! |