The Greatest Life

I have been crucified with Christ; it is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me.
Galatians 2:20

If you want to be a true follower of Jesus, you need to take up your cross. Jesus said, "If anyone desires to come after Me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow Me" (Matthew 16:24).

That may sound miserable to some of us. You envision yourself carrying around some huge, wooden cross—living a miserable life, a life of selfless sacrifice. Let me share something with you. Taking up the cross of Christ means that I come to the Lord and say, "God, I realize you know more about life than I do. You know my future and what is best for me. And Lord, I want what You want for me more than what I want for myself. I am willing to put Your will above my own. If that means letting go of something that would hold me back or hurt me spiritually, I'm willing. If that means cutting loose something that is dragging me down, I'm willing. Because I know that You love me and have my best interest in mind."

That is why the Apostle Paul said, "I have been crucified with Christ; it is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me" (Galatians 2:20). The greatest life is the life that has been exchanged—the life that has been given to God. And the greatest life is living in obedience to Jesus Christ.