Jesus Came to Give Us New Life Not to Enhance the One We Already Have

Reflections for this date are based on the following scripture passages:
Matthew 16	Matthew 17	Matthew 18	Genesis 11	Genesis 12	Psalms 5

Jesus came to give us new life not to enhance the life we already have. Jesus taught that He had come that we might have life in abundance. Many respond to this by trying to hang onto the life they have while adding Jesus to it. If a fuller life means a busier life, then that probably describes what they have. But this is not what Jesus meant by having life in abundance nor how we find this life. Instead, He talked about giving up the life we have in exchange for the life in abundance that He offers. "If anyone wants to come with me," He said, "he must deny himself, take up his cross, and follow Me." (Matt 16:24)

There are many who call themselves Christians to whom this teaching is considered to be only for a select few who are specially "called." But not so. Jesus addressed this to all who would have the life in abundance He offers. But this life requires two things the majority who call themselves Christian are unwilling to do: deny themselves, and follow Jesus. Jesus wasn't calling us to be "Christians" as it has come to mean, but to be "followers." The term Christian has come to mean many things, but to follow Jesus clearly means to go where He tells us to go and do what He tells us to do. Furthermore, Jesus said, "For whoever wants to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life because of Me will find it." (Matt 16:25) This, too many Christians are unwilling to do. Rather than losing their lives because of Jesus or denying themselves and following Jesus, they have added Jesus to the life they already have and therefore have become religious rather than followers of Jesus.