Is coming to the cross enough? What drives you toward Jesus? Is it not a significant need that prompts you to call on someone greater than yourself?

Coming to the cross is the first step when Jesus invites us to come. Know for certain He hears every time someone calls His name for whatever reason. However, a relationship is not possible with those who stop there. He may rescue you, opening the way for you to move toward Him, but He cannot force your love and will not stay if He’s not wanted. A continual rescue mission doesn’t equal an intimate relationship.

Luke 9:23 exactly explains our part.

 Then he said to them all: “Whoever wants to be my disciple must deny themselves and take up their cross daily and follow me.

In the preceding verse, we see a kinship with Christ involves much more than using Him to solve problems. A lasting union of any kind requires a daily commitment. If you are unwilling to invest in the relationship, He will not be your vending machine.

Luke 9:23 is a promise. Jesus says I promise you this is what it takes to be My disciple. You must be willing to follow Me to the cross. When Jesus picked up the cross, He carried it to His death. When you pick up your cross, you must carry it to the death of self. My will dies to His will. A life for a life. His life for your life. Your life for His life. He gave up His life for you to live in Him, so you must give up your life for Him to live in you.

This truth is where many turn away from Jesus. Humanity’s cravings for control outweigh their desire to know their Savior.

Matthew 16:25

For whoever wants to save their life will lose it, but whoever loses their life for me will find it.

His promise is life. Choose life. Jesus breathed into man, and he became a living soul. Your eternal existence depends on His breath in you.