"According to what he has done..." (Matthew 16:24) Done? Does that mean achieved? Gotten? Amassed for myself? No, that would be "setting my mind on the things of man and not on the things of God" which the Lord so violently eschews a few verses earlier. ("For what will it profit a man if he gains the whole world and forfeits his soul?")
Done. Not wanted to do but never had time for. Not tried to do but other things took priority. Not believed but it had no impact on my life, and wasn't worth telling others about. Ouch.
Done, with my mind set on the things of God. Done, while I deny myself, take up my cross, and follow Jesus. Done, out of a heart full of love (I Corinthians 13).
It's obedience. That's what God wants. That's what Jesus did: THAT was His claim to fame with His Father. "I do nothing of my Own will, but only what the Father tells me to do."
In Christ, I get a do-over. I have the opportunity to go back to the Garden and trust and obey this time. To believe my Father loves me so much to not withhold any good thing from me. To freely prove to Him my gratefulness and affection and trust.
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