Many people in North America profess to be Christians. There is, however, a great difference between the number of professors and the number of followers of Christ.
Christians are not saved because of their works – that is impossible (Rom. 3:20). But those who come to Christ, by the grace of God, in faith and repentance will be enabled by God to follow Christ as the Scriptures declare. Jesus said in Matthew 16:24, “If anyone desires to come after Me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow Me.”
There is no room for self-will in the Christian life, but rather a commitment to pursue the divine will. The Christian’s life is to be a sacrifice; a living and holy one that is acceptable to God (Rom. 12:1). The Christian should not be living to please himself, but should live to glorify God who saved him.
Paul says that such living is the Christian’s “reasonable service.” The logic of Paul’s words is simple: since Christ purchased His people on the cross, it is only right that they should give body and soul to Christ for his glory and for the good of others.
