Are We Yet Wholly His?

Are we yet living as wholly His, or are we living as "enemies of the cross"? Jesus died for us—Jesus gave us His all—and He calls us to follow in the same.

Truly, although the way of our salvation is one “not of [our] works” (Eph. 2:9), an exchange from us must first take place. There must be a “coming out of” in order to come into Christ. There must be a decision to change course and to follow (2 Cor. 6:17; Mk. 1:15). Sadly, however, even as the apostle Paul observed, many would live compromised by this world.

“For, as I have often told you before and now tell you again even with tears, many live as enemies of the cross of Christ. Their destiny is destruction, their god is their stomach, and their glory is in their shame. Their mind is set on earthly things. But our citizenship is in heaven. And we eagerly await a Savior from there, the Lord Jesus Christ,” (Philippians 3:18-20 NIV)

Indeed, just as our Savior so clearly described it, the path unto His life is a narrow one (Matt. 7:13-14; 16:24). The way of it will surely cost us. 

“‘For whoever desires to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for My sake will find it. For what profit is it to a man if he gains the whole world, and loses his own soul? Or what will a man give in exchange for his soul?’” (Matthew 16:25-26 NKJV)

“‘And whoever does not bear his cross and come after Me cannot be My disciple. For which of you, intending to build a tower, does not sit down first and count the cost, whether he has enough to finish it—lest, after he has laid the foundation, and is not able to finish, all who see it begin to mock him, saying, “This man began to build and was not able to finish”? . . . So likewise, whoever of you does not forsake all that he has cannot be My disciple.’” (Luke 14:27-30, 33 NKJV)

For certain, “the Lord knows those who are His” (2 Tim. 2:19). Nothing is hidden from His sight (Heb. 4:13). So let us take note and be ever watchful to discern what is the course of our ways (Prov. 14:12; Gal. 6:7-8; 2 Cor. 13:5; Eph. 5:15).

You therefore, beloved, since you know this beforehand, beware lest you also fall from your own steadfastness, being led away with the error of the wicked; but grow  in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. (2 Peter 3:17-18 NKJV)

Set your mind on things above, not on things on the earth. For you died, and your life is hidden with Christ in God. When Christ who is our life appears, then you also will appear with Him in glory. (Colossians 3:2-4 NKJV)