Whoever wants to follow Me must deny himself. These is what Jesus said to His disciples when He taught them about being a disciple. This is the requirement of salvation. Salvation isn’t free, it cost Jesus His life and it cost us our life as well. Surrender isn’t something we do during prayer; surrender is a lifestyle. Jesus life and ministry were so powerful and impactful because He was surrendered unto the Father. If we are called to do greater works than His, we must live like He did. In the book of John, Jesus said over and over that He is here to do God’s will.

            Galatians 2:20, “I have been crucified with Christ; it is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me; and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave Himself for me.”

            This verse is one of my favorite verses, because it outlines the purpose of a believer. We are to submit ourselves in and with Christ. We live and breathe through Him because He is our everything. In Him we move and have our very being. This is what being a disciple is all about. Is He our everything, is He our life? He is the author and finisher of not only our faith but our life.

            John 12:24-25, “Most assuredly, I say to you, unless a grain of wheat falls into the ground and dies, it remains alone; but if it dies, it produces much grain. He who loves his life will lose it, and he who hates his life in this world will keep it for eternal life.”

            For us to produce the fruits of the Holy Spirit we must die first in Him. Dying in Him simply means to submit our lives to Him. His words determine our life and what we do with it.