Then Jesus said to his disciples, "If anyone would come after me, he must deny himself and take up his cross and follow me. For whoever wants to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for me will find it." -Matthew 16:24, 25
Whenever Christ extended the call to people He did so with the expectation that they would be altered into something far different from their former selves.
The thieving tax collector was called to, “Follow me (Matthew 9:9).”
The woman caught in adultery was challenged to, “Go now and leave your life of sin (John 8:11).”
A loud mouthed fisherman named Simon Peter pleaded with Jesus to leave him alone claiming, “Go away from me, Lord; I am a sinful man!” To which Jesus replied, “From now on you will catch men (Luke 5:8, 9).”
A rich young ruler was challenged to, “Sell everything you have and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven. Then come and follow me (Luke 18:22).”
Nicodemus, a pious and well educated religious leader, was told, “You must be born again (John 3:7).”
These persons were given the understanding that following Jesus Christ, becoming His disciples, carries far-reaching implications. A new approach to life is required in which the follower of Christ forsakes the old way of doing things in favor of a higher, nobler, and better way.
How did the idea come about that an individual can come to faith in Jesus Christ, yet remain just the same? Unfortunately a decreased emphasis on radical transformation has become prevalent in the present age. Bedrock principles of the faith such as the shed blood of Christ, the call to repentance, and holy living are sometimes avoided for fear of being offensive. Radical transformation in Jesus Christ calls for an emphasis on Him, not upon us. Following Christ involves following Him completely - with all we have and all we are.
Christ can bring radical transformation to our lives, which leads to radical peace and joy.
