The Plumbline

Then he said to the crowd, “If any of you wants to be my follower, you must give up your own way, take up your cross daily, and follow me. If you try to hang on to your life, you will lose it. But if you give up your life for my sake, you will save it." (Luke 9:23-24 NLT) A follower isn't prone to lead, are they? The leader determines the course, sets the pace, and directs the ones following what to look out for along the way. To follow, one must give up their 'own way'. The course is established for them - they actively choose to leave their path and follow a different one. Hanging onto our old way of doing things in life may prove to be a bit more foolish than we first want to admit, but it didn't get us where we wanted to be in the first place! Why would we hold onto it when all that path has provided is guilt, shame, discomfort, or mistrust? Somehow, like it or not, we must give up the 'right' to do our own thing and follow Christ as HE determines we s...

Jesus came and told his disciples, “I have been given all authority in heaven and on earth. Therefore, go and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit. Teach these new disciples to obey all the commands I have given you. And be sure of this: I am with you always, even to the end of the age.” (Matthew 28:18-20) Make disciples of all men - not just converts who warm the pews, but actual disciples. Teach the gospel and see what it will accomplish - preaching it alone might win souls, but when it is taught, it is caught! Live the message - the gospel was always meant to be something that is backed with action, not just words spoken from a pulpit. If they are willing to follow, bring them along. When we submit to the leadership of Jesus, we are acknowledging that we are willing to take up the mission he has given each of us. Yes, we are to tell others about Christ - but the billboard you hold on the side of the roadway won...