Feb.25.03: Light For The Day - "Free but Not Cheap" -- Matthew 16:24 (NIVUS) Then Jesus said to his disciples, "If anyone would come after me, he must deny himself and take up his cross and follow me." ------------------------ During the early years of the twentieth century, Bill Borden turned his back on one of America's great family fortunes to become a missionary to China. He only got as far as Egypt where, still in his twenties, he died of typhoid fever. Before his death he wrote, "No reserves, no retreats, no regrets!" Discipleship is always costly. No, it may not cost us our lives. but it will cost us. It will cost us our plans, our wills, our selfish desires. Jesus' standard has not changed: "If anyone desires to come after Me, let him deny himself and take up his cross, and follow Me" (Matt. 6:24). Instead of controlling our lives, we turn them over to Christ as Lord. someone has said, "Salvation is free but not cheap." It cost Jesus His life, and it will cost us as well. But could anything be greater? Could anything be more fulfilling? Follow Christ, and at life's end you will be able to say, "No regrets!" -- Billy Graham ------------------ -- John 6:67-69 (NIVUS) 67 "You do not want to leave too, do you?" Jesus asked the Twelve. 68 Simon Peter answered him, "Lord, to whom shall we go? You have the WORDS OF ETERNAL LIFE. 69 We believe and know that you are the Holy One of God." -- Matthew 16:24-26 (NIVUS) "Then Jesus said to his disciples, "If anyone would come after me, he must deny himself and take up his cross and follow me. 25 For whoever wants to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for me will find it. 26 What good will it be for a man if he gains the whole world, yet forfeits his soul? Or what can a man give in exchange for his soul?"