Living the crucified life

1 Corinthians 1:18

“For the message of the cross is foolishness to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God.” NIV

To conclude on this, let me introduce something here regarding living the crucified life. I believe that when you hear of something like this, some people have the mistaken idea that living such life means you go through life suffering not enjoying the abundant life. You are not the only one to think like this, there is someone just like you in the Bible. Have you heard about the rich young ruler?
Mark 10:17-22

“And when he was gone forth into the way, there came one running, and kneeled to him, and asked him, Good Master, what shall I do that I may inherit eternal life? And Jesus said unto him, Why callest thou me good? there is none good but one, that is, God. Thou knowest the commandments, Do not commit adultery, Do not kill, Do not steal, Do not bear false witness, Defraud not, Honour thy father and mother. And he answered and said unto him, Master, all these have I observed from my youth. 

Then Jesus beholding him loved him, and said unto him, One thing thou lackest: go thy way, sell whatsoever thou hast, and give to the poor, and thou shalt have treasure in heaven: and come, take up the cross, and follow me. And he was sad at that saying, and went away grieved: for he had great possessions.” KJV

This man came asking from the Master what he needed to do to inherit eternal life. On a final note he was asked to sell his possessions and give to the poor but he went away grieved. If you stop there, you can go around preaching the gospel of impoverishment. But that was not the end of the story, Jesus was only trying to make him fulfill Matthew 16:24-25. If you want to follow him, lose your life first, deny yourself first. Now look at the end that Jesus was planning for him:
Mark 10:28-30

 “Then Peter began to say unto him, Lo, we have left all, and have followed thee. And Jesus answered and said, Verily I say unto you, There is no man that hath left house, or brethren, or sisters, or father, or mother, or wife, or children, or lands, for my sake, and the gospel's, But he shall receive an hundredfold now in this time, houses, and brethren, and sisters, and mothers, and children, and lands, with persecutions; and in the world to come eternal life.” KJV

Jesus was trying to bring him to the place where he would reap a hundred fold return.

What have you left for the gospel’s sake? Who has left you because of the gospel? Get ready for a hundred fold return in Jesus name.