Who reading here today has never been guilty of this, as Ezekiel explained it: 

 “As for you, son of man, the children of your people are talking about you beside the walls and in the doors of the houses; and they speak to one another, everyone saying to his brother, ‘Please come and hear what the word is that comes from the Lord.’ So they come to you as people do, they sit before you as My people, and they hear your words, BUT... they do not do them; for with their mouth they show much love, but their hearts pursue their own gain.” (33:30-31)

I can ‘nod my head in agreement’ and then ‘Amen’ God's word...with the best of them. But it’s the following through and actually ‘doing it’...where we always get tripped up. We know those verses, we quote those verses, we post them on sticky-notes and social media; why some even have favorite Bible verses tattooed on their bodies. But if...we simply are hearers of the word...and not ‘doers’...we fall short...and ‘deceive ourselves’ (James 1:22).

That might also explain why so many sincere people lack seeing any genuine transformation in their lives, which they were promised would happen if they ‘gave their hearts to Jesus’ (2 Cor. 5:17).

If there was any lesson to be learned from the first miracle Jesus performed at that wedding in Cana, when He miraculously changed water into wine, it came from the lips of His mother, Mary...who told those servants: “Whatever He says to you, do it!” (John 2:5).

Paul chimes in with a similar reminder: “The things which you learned and received and heard and saw in me, these DO... and the God of peace will be with you.” (Phil. 4:9)

I guess Nike really nailed it with their world-renowned, 3-word slogan: “Just Do It!”

“Yes Jesus”, Peter assured Him...”I am ready to lay my life down for you.”

“Are you, Peter? Will you really lay down your life for My sake?”, asked the loving Shepherd. (John 13:37-38) And of course before the night was over, Peter would deny knowing Jesus three times in front of strangers.

I should also point out here, for those who like to find comfort in Peter’s pathetic collapse to justify their own ongoing failures...is something ‘significant’ happened in Peter’s life within about 60 days, as he was empowered by, and filled with the Holy Spirit of God on the Day of Pentecost (Acts 2) and his life was forever transformed from the inside out. For those who may have failed to ‘get that memo’, that same life changing experience is available to you as well (Acts 2:37-38, 19:1-6). Remember, Jesus did not think for a moment that any of us could actually ‘walk this walk’ (as He did- 1 John 2:6) unless we were abiding in Him...and He in us (John 15:1-8).

But let it be known...that our ‘laying down our life for Him’...is still our choice. (John 15:11-17). And as I asked yesterday, do we really know what that even means? If a new convert or ‘seeking’ individual asked you to explain that to them before they even made a commitment to ‘surrender’ their life to Jesus, could you adequately enlighten them as to what Jesus was asking all of us to do, since this was the greatest commandment in ‘loving others as He loved us’? (John 15:12)

When we think in terms of ‘laying down our life’ for ...anyone, we tend to rush to the most extreme, dramatic scenarios, like ‘taking a bullet’ for someone. Or jumping into an angry ocean to rescue a child while losing your own life in the process. And who in their right mind, would actually go be ‘crucified on a cross’...for a complete ‘stranger-sinner’, as Jesus did for us (Rom. 5:8)? IF...we are to truly love others as Jesus demonstrated His love for us, that seems to be asking a great deal of us, would you not agree? Maybe...this will help ‘ease’ that pressure some...

This ‘life’ Jesus is asking us to ‘lay down’ with a ‘symbolic cross’ (Luke 9:23-24) is not your ‘physical’ life; at least for most people, in most cases. So the next time you are entertaining a scenario as to how you might respond when ‘forced to take the ‘mark of the beast’ or suffer in other ways, consider this: How about the next time you are ‘triggered’ to grumble and voice your complaints and irritations to someone, either in person or to ‘social media’, why not stop and bring that tendency you’ve had for years...to an end. What does scripture exhort us to do in Phil. 2:14-15? And that means you ‘repent’ from doing so from here on out, as in you don’t grumble and complain anymore, since it is not ‘fitting to be named among us’ (Eph. 5:3-4) which also includes foolish talk and inappropriate language. (Eph. 4:29-32,22). You don’t think God takes this seriously? Why would Paul point out as a ‘warning’ to us, upon whom the end of the ages has come...how God dealt with a bunch of whiners and complainers back in the wilderness, in 1 Cor. 10:9-11?

That might be a good start...when it comes to laying down one’s life. You say that is hard to do, 'all the time'? No..., not really; not if you love God with all your heart and want to prove to Him that you love Him more...than you love grumbling and complaining. And since we like to quote Phil. 4:13 all the time, about how we ‘can do ALL things through Christ who strengthens us’, it would seem we are without ‘excuse’ (John 15:22). No...turning away from that one area...is not ‘hard’. But going to a physical cross as spikes are driven into your limbs as you bleed out...would be hard. And as the writer of Hebrews points out: “You have not yet resisted to bloodshed, striving against sin.” (12:3-4).

Now here’s something that might ‘motivate’ or ‘inspire’ you to ‘go that extra mile’ (Matt. 5:41)...and it’s not a ‘threat’ either. Consider it a warning as to what your ‘options’ are when it comes to following Jesus, since He is the ‘only way’ out of this world (John 14:6). Unless we ‘repent’ (turn from) all...these sinful ways of the flesh...We. Will. Perish. (Luke 13:1-5; Gal. 5:19-21)

So...there’s that. Maybe that is how the ‘fear of God’ comes into play in becoming a ‘wise virgin’, (Matt. 25:1-13; Prov. 9:10).