If you will take these three nonnegotiable, irrevocable, and undeniable steps, Jesus will make you a blessing by the power of His Holy Spirit.

Jesus said (Matt. 10:37–39): “He that loveth father or mother more than me is not worthy of me: and he that loveth son or daughter more than me is not worthy of me. And he that taketh not his cross, and followeth after me, is not worthy of me. He that findeth his life shall lose it: and he that loseth his life for my sake shall find it.”

1. Love Test! (Matt. 10:37) – “He that loveth father or mother more than me is not worthy of me: and he that loveth son or daughter more than me is not worthy of me.”

Is there anybody that you love more than Jesus? This includes parents or children. Wow! That calls for some heart searching. Tell the truth. Can you honestly say that all of your decisions in life put Jesus Christ first before your family? That means pleasure, entertainment, or even doing what others want you to do on the Lord’s Day—Sunday—instead of what Jesus Christ makes clear in His Word (or any day for that matter).

Most of us would need to admit (confess) that we fall short of this at times. Therefore, we need to reevaluate our “LOVE LIFE” along with our priorities. That leads to the second step. Do not stop after the first step. Go to the next one.

2. + Die to Self! (Matt. 10:38) – “And he that taketh not his cross, and followeth after me, is not worthy of me.”

What did Jesus mean? Did you notice that this statement followed the LOVE LIFE comment? Obviously, this entails saying NO to SELF. That is hard to do. Be honest. Self rules these days. Self is in control. Self doesn’t want to go to the cross easily. Self is powerful. Self is dominant. Self is strong. Self does not want to die.

Just about everywhere we turn, SELF is fueled to satisfy its own pleasures and desires. Right? Do you feel the pull? Are you caught in the trap? Look at the cross. Think about the process. Consider the end. Remember how Jesus did it.

Purpose in your heart to follow Him. Say NO to the flesh. Say YES to the SPIRIT. Check your motives. Make sure SELF is not behind it. Let the cross crucify the flesh. Ask for resurrection power. Fully rely upon Jesus to enable you. Thank Him for His grace.

3. = Heaven’s Best! (Matt. 10:39) – “He that findeth his life shall lose it: and he that loseth his life for my sake shall find it.”

Please understand that people will think you are CRAZY! This is not normal. In fact, it is abnormal. But after all, JESUS CHRIST is not normal. Normal is the way of the world. Normal is all about self-righteousness, self-dependency, self-sufficiency, and ultimately, self-glorying.

But that is where God steps in and gives His children an opportunity to live above normal—to take the ordinary and do EXTRAORDINARY exploits (notable feats, things). That is what makes the CHRISTIAN life or SPIRIT-FILLED life different than an ordinary life.

But please note: when all is said and done, JESUS gets the GLORY because it’s HIS life—not ours—that is EXTRAORDINARY!