And He summoned the crowd with His disciples, and said to them, “If anyone wishes to come after Me, he must deny himself, and take up his cross and follow Me. Mark 8:34

What does it take to be a Christian? A lot of people would say, well you repeat a few words, maybe get dunked into water, and then your good! Accepting Christ is not just a one-time event, it’s a daily walk. Of course you should come to Christ, repent of your sins, and get baptized. However what is after that?

Jesus said “If anyone wishes to come after Me” meaning If anyone wants to follow me (hence be a Christian) They must deny themselves, carry your cross, and follow Christ.

I think John the Baptist said it best “He (Jesus) must Increase, I must decrease” (John 3:30) How many churches or ministries seem to be self centered rather than Christ centered? A lot of these “Christian”books and sermons, its hard to even tell if they are Christian

For whoever wishes to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for My sake and the gospel’s will save it. Mark 8:35

 If you truly want to be saved, your old self must die first. Your life no longer belongs to you, you were bought by the blood of Christ (1 Corinthians 6:20) So why do you keep acting like you own yourself? Why do we continue to try and puff ourselves up and feed our egos? Why do we continue to live like the world?

For what does it profit a man to gain the whole world, and forfeit his soul? Mark 8:36

The world will profit you nothing! However you will lose everything, including your soul! Whatever your doing for Christ, remember who your master is, Jesus! Nobody receives pride from carry a cross, carry it daily! Humble yourself before The Lord Amen!