Following Jesus is not about being a good person or a good Christian. It's not about obeying a list of “dos” and “don’t's.” It’s not about trying but about dying! It's not about trying hard, but it's about dying to your old self, saying no to your plan and will and desires and flesh, and living in the resurrection power of Jesus.

There are no shortcuts to living a truly meaningful, joyful, and purposeful life in the Kingdom of God besides dying to your old self.

How?

We die to old selves and live in the resurrection power of Jesus not by trying but by abiding. Abiding is a word Jesus used in John 15 for living in Him. It's about being with Jesus. Setting your mind on him.

Colossians 3:1-2 says, “So if you have been raised with Christ, seek the things above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God. 2 Set your minds on things above, not on earthly things.”

We are becoming whatever we put in front of our eyes or in our ears. We are very formative people. If we spend all our time watching TV, looking at Instagram or Tik Tok, or hanging out with the wrong group of friends, that is who we are becoming. And if we are not being formed into the image of Jesus, then we are deforming from his image. It’s not about trying but about dying. It’s not about trying but about abiding.