Daily Devotional - January 2nd, 2026
“Then said Jesus unto his disciples, If any man will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow me.” — Matthew 16:24
“Following Christ costs us our comfort, but it gives us our soul.” — Alma Ohene-Opare
Commentary:
Discipleship is not an accessory to a comfortable life. It is a deliberate choice to place truth above ease and obedience above applause. Christ never hid the cost. He invited followers to take up a cross, not a cushion. In a world that rewards convenience and self-protection, the call of discipleship sounds almost radical. Yet it is precisely this cost that separates belief from commitment. Freedom, both spiritual and civic, has always required sacrifice. What costs nothing is usually worth nothing.
The moral law operates the same way in every sphere of life. A nation that refuses discipline loses liberty. A soul that avoids sacrifice loses strength. Discipleship demands that we surrender habits, pride, and sometimes relationships that pull us away from truth. Like an athlete who trains while others sleep, the disciple chooses restraint today for victory tomorrow. The sacrifice is real, but so is the transformation. God does not ask us to give up anything without offering something greater in return.
The cross we carry is not meant to crush us but to shape us. When we choose honesty over advantage, courage over silence, and faith over fear, we align ourselves with eternal purpose. The cost refines our character and clarifies our allegiance. Christlike living is not about avoiding hardship but about meeting it with faith, trusting that obedience leads to life.
Scripture:
“Then said Jesus unto his disciples, If any man will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow me.” — Matthew 16:24
Daily Application:
Examine one area of comfort that may be weakening your commitment and choose obedience instead today.